With the yearly Ramadan fasting commencing in less than 48 hours, Muslim faithful in Nigeria may face harder times considering the current food price crisis ravaging the country. Although many faithful see the situation as a test of their ability to observe the religious fast and meet their basic needs, they are concerned about how they would grapple with the grim reality of inflated cost of food items.

A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed that the food inflation rate in January 2024 rose to 35.41 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 11.10 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2023 (24.32 per cent).

Nigerians, who expressed concern on the possible effect of the economic hardship on the holy month, urged the government to introduce and enforce price control mechanisms, insisting that no amount of palliatives would ease the tension in the land if the step is not taken.

They lamented that it was becoming a yearly ritual for them to observe Ramadam under a tensed economic atmosphere, recalling that many faithful were unable to observe the religious fast last year, as they couldn’t meet up with the basic needs.

Recall that last year’s Ramadan fell within the period the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated the currency swap policy, which led to prolonged naira scarcity, causing serious bottlenecks to households in accessing cash and food.

A market survey carried out by The Guardian in major markets across the country at the weekend indicated that the price of commodities has increased astronomically.

From Lagos to Abeokuta, Ibadan, Kwara, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri and other cities, it was the same sad story despite the efforts of the Federal Government to ramp up food supply across the country.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, a basket of ‘tatase’ previously sold between N5, 000 to N6, 000 is currently selling for N30, 000, while a basket of tomato that was between N3, 500 and N5, 000 has jumped to N60, 000.

A pepper seller, Mrs. Faoziyya Zakariyyau, who spoke with The Guardian, said “before now, we used to buy a basket of ‘rodo’ pepper at the rate of N8, 000, but now it is N80, 000,” adding that a basket of onion now sells for N50, 000 as against the previous price of N15, 000.

Zakariyyau lamented that the development would affect Ramadan, adding that, “even before now we have been feeling the pains.” On her part, a trader on the Murtala Muhammed Way, Ilorin, Mrs. Felicia Ige, said the price of most food items has increased by over 100 per cent. She said a 10kg bag of semovita that previously sold for N8, 000 is now N13, 500, while a carton of noodles that used to cost N6, 000 now sells for over N16, 000.

Ige said: “We should expect that this year’s Ramadan will be greatly affected by the current economic situation, the blunt truth is that we are braced up for it because it is what we buy that we will sell.

“Even before the Ramadan, prices of food were so high to the extent that a serious and threatening drop in sales was recorded; increase in prices is an ongoing experience.

“No doubt, the situation will affect this year’s Ramadan though I trust Nigerians; they will bear it but it will be good if the government wades into the situation and allays our fear by rolling out palliatives to cushion the hard time we now find ourselves.”

In Kaduna State, staple foods and fruits vital for Ramadan have witnessed staggering price hikes, making them unaffordable for many.To compound the hardship, The Guardian learnt that bakers in Kaduna have raised the price of bread for about two times within this month alone, attributing the increase to soaring costs of flour, sugar and other baking ingredients.

A medium-sized loaf of bread that cost N400 now sells for N850 amid dwindling household income. In a chat with The Guardian, a resident of Kaduna, Mr. Ismail Shehu, who called on the government to intervene and address the issues leading to the exorbitant prices, said: “The volatility in food prices is evident throughout the day, with buyers experiencing price changes within a matter of hours. This phenomenon further exacerbates the hardship faced by Nigerians. There is an urgent need for effective measures to ameliorate the plight of the people,” Shehu said.

Another resident, who is looking forward to observe the religious obligation, Alhaja Hafsat Hassan, said prices of food items are artificially inflated, warning against the potential consequences.

“If the government fails to address this inflation and rising cost, hunger will start killing people. Instances of warehouse looting, as witnessed in other parts of the country and the looting of a truck load with food items in Zaria underscore the desperation fueled by soaring prices,” she said.

At the Bodija market, Ibadan, Oyo State, a module of rice costs N2, 600 while that of beans ranges from N1,700 to N2, 200 depending on the quality.

Six tubers of medium-sized yam goes for N7, 000. A ‘congo’ of white garri goes for N900; a bucket goes for N4, 000 while a ‘congo’ of yellow maize is N1, 200.

Muslims in the state decried the prevailing high cost of commodities but said they would endeavour to observe the fast because it is compulsory for them.

A Muslim, Sodiq Oyetunji, said: “I will observe the holy month, but I don’t know how to go about it. Rice, yam, flour, pepper, fish, meat and other food items are very costly. Unfortunately, there is no money to even buy them. We believe in God for miracles. We are hopeful that Government will intervene to beat down prices for us to be able to observe the fast.”

Another Muslim, Mr. Gafar Akinbode, said: “We have no choice. Notwithstanding that things are expensive, the fasting is compulsory. We are praying to God to have mercy upon us during the holy month.”

Similarly, Mrs. Opeyemi Odejayi, said: “It is compulsory. We have no option.” In Kano State, the market survey shows a significant drop in the prices of vegetables in Yankaba market, a major vegetable market in the Kano metropolis. The commodities affected are tomato, onion and scotch pepper. However, prices of grains such as rice, beans, millet, corn and wheat have slightly gone higher.

For instance, a big basket of tomatoes at Yankaba market currently costs N12,000 against N30,000 it cost two months ago. A 70kg sack of scotch pepper (tatase) costs N20, 000 but it was sold for N60, 000 about two months ago. Similarly, the price of a 100kg bag of onion dropped from N120, 000 to N25, 000 at Goundutse market in Karfi, Kura Local Council of the state. Nevertheless, the price of a 70 kg sack of pepper stood at N65, 000.

On grains, the survey revealed that a 100kg sack of millet sells for N58, 000; beans (100kg) N104, 000 while rice (50kg) N57, 800. Also, a 100kg bag of wheat goes for N72, 000 while a 100kg bag of yellow corn and white corn go for N60, 000.

Reacting to the challenge, a resident, Alhaji Yahaya Saidu, appealed to traders to slash prices of consumables ahead of Ramadan. Saidu, who lamented the level of hunger in the land, said many Nigerians may find it difficult to feed during the fasting period.

Also, Abdulmumin Barde, who is worried over scarcity of food items, urged the state government to intervene to force down the price of food. A survey round popular markets in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and its environs showed that Muslim faithful indicated a similar trend.

In Kuto, Panseke, Omida and Olomoore markets, the prices of food items have increased tremendously. A Civil Servant, Mrs. Afusat Lawal, who lamented the challenge, noted that as Muslims begin the Ramadan, the price of food items has increased.

“I was surprised when I got to the market to learn that the two kilogramme bag of semolina is now N3, 000, against N2, 400 we normally buy it. To cook a pot of soup now you need nothing less than between N10, 000 to N15, 000. I wonder how some Muslims will be able to perform their fasting,” she said.

Another resident, Mr. Wasiu Agbabiaka, stated that the high cost of food was not as a result of dollar exchange as is being speculated, noting that traders decided to increase prices of food items for their personal gains.

He stated that there Is an urgent need for the Federal Government to urgently establish a price control board to check the prices of goods and services in the country.

The Chief Imam of Alhaji Isa Elelu Central Mosque, Ilorin, Imam Abubakar Kamal, who also predicted harder times for Nigerian Muslim faithful during this year’s Ramadan, urged the government to adopt price control mechanisms to arrest the situation.

He said no amount of palliatives would ease the expected tension, “unless the government wakes up to its duties and effect forceful compliance with price control mechanisms.”

However, some Muslim scholars in the country have enjoined the masses to take things easy and endure the current economic situation, assuring that relief is around the corner, as much as Nigerians keep praying to God.

Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola in a chat with The Guardian, urged Muslims to avoid waste, share with neighbours and pray fervently for Nigeria during the Ramadan season.

He said: “My advice to Muslims this Ramadan in the face of economic downturn is to avoid waste, eat moderately and share what they have with their neighbours.

“I don’t mean Muslim neighbours alone but all neighbours, Christians, traditionalists and people of all faiths. Hunger knows no religion and this hardship has affected us all.

“This is what Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us as a messenger of Allah to all homo sapiens. He said, ‘Any Muslim who fills his belly but ignores his hungry neighbour is not a true Muslim.’

“Let us give and share during this Ramadan. We must also allow this love language to guide our behaviour even after Ramadan. We must continue to share, to give, to love, to forgive and to tolerate. There can be no religion in the absence of love,” Akintola said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Immediate past Vice Chancellor, Ahman Pategi University and Board member of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, said the fundamental principles of coping with difficult times lie with faith, discipline and patience, urging Nigerians to embrace these wholeheartedly.

Adedimeji said: “The situation of things in Nigeria is bad but ours is not the worst in the world. So, Muslims should keep faith that with hardship; there is ease as Qur’an 94 verse 7 tells us. Our faith in Allah that our condition will be better should be unshakeable.

“Part of the goals of fasting is discipline or self-control. A fasting Muslim doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink, doesn’t fight and doesn’t engage in any obscenity. This discipline will make Muslims cut their coat according to their cloth (not according to their size). Fingers are not equal and Muslims should embrace contentment with whatever they have or can afford knowing that their own situation is still better than the fate of other Muslims in other places in the world. Let Muslims maintain a high sense of discipline.

“Then, we should be patient because Allah is with the patient ones (Q2:249; Q8:46). This patience would make us rely on Allah with the conviction that Allah is sufficient for whoever relies on him (Q65:3). Life is tough but we still have every reason to thank Allah. Whoever is thoughtful would be grateful.

“My advice is that we use the blessed month of Ramadan to draw closer to Allah. We should eschew sins and embrace righteousness. Let everyone accept responsibility and focus on being a better human being. Let’s be kind to one another; let’s be helpful; let’s be humane in the way we deal with one another because we are all accountable as we are all leaders at various levels,” Adedimeji said.

National Vice President. Anwar-ul- Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, said Ramadan is the time to reach out to the less privileged and needy, considering the current economic situation in the country.

He said Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God and a way to become more compassionate to those in need.

“It is therefore a month of giving, especially to the hungry, considering the condition in the country, ever increasing food prices, mounting hunger and escalating poverty,” he said. (The Guardian)

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