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As this year’s Eid al-Adha approaches, livestock dealers and buyers have expressed concern that rams and other sacrificial animals may become more expensive due to rising cases of rustling in parts of the North West and a recent livestock export ban imposed by the Niger Republic.
Earlier in May, the Nigerien government temporarily banned livestock exports to stabilise domestic prices ahead of the Eid celebrations.
The country’s Ministry of Commerce said the measure was aimed at ensuring sufficient livestock supply during the high-demand season.
In Niger, where over 90 per cent of the population is Muslim, hundreds of thousands of sheep are traditionally slaughtered during Eid al-Adha, which will take place in early June this year.
The ban affects the export of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels.
Niger’s Commerce Minister, Abdoulaye Seydou said the decision to ban the export of livestock was intended “to ensure the regular supply” of animals in local markets in preparation for the celebrations.
He also warned that security agencies have been instructed to enforce the ban strictly and that violators will face decisive action.
It would be recalled that Niger recently imposed a ban on the export of food items to neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
The latest move is expected to affect neighbouring countries, particularly Nigeria and Ivory Coast, which depend on livestock imports from Niger, especially rams, sheep, and camels.
Nigerian dealers look to Cameroon, Chad as alternatives
Merchants in major livestock markets in Kano and Jigawa states said the ban could cause supply shortages and price hikes in Nigeria during the Eid season.
Malam Abdullahi Abdul, a 65-year-old livestock merchant at the Wudil Livestock Market in Kano who has been in the trade for over 15 years, said the ban would undoubtedly affect the supply of animals to Nigeria.
He said Niger Republic is a key supplier of rams, especially during Eid al-Adha, and the restriction would impact availability at a time when demand peaks.
He noted that, in response, many merchants have begun sourcing livestock from alternative routes, especially from countries like Cameroon and Chad.
“There is every tendency that Nigeria may face a scarcity or high cost of livestock due to the ban by the Niger Republic.
