With less than 24 hours to the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebration across the world, many civil servants in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have expressed deep frustration over the rising cost of living, lamenting that their salaries can no longer sustain basic needs, let alone afford Sallah rams.
The development comes amid growing economic hardship in Nigeria, as workers continue to grapple with inflation, high food prices, transportation costs, rent, and school fees.
Some civil servants who spoke with The News Chronicle on Tuesday said, despite recent salary adjustments, many workers are experiencing reductions in take-home pay due to deductions and economic realities, leaving them financially strained ahead of the festive season.
Speaking in an interview, an economic analyst and civil servant in Maiduguri, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed MIM, said the current economic situation has made it nearly impossible for an average civil servant to purchase a ram for Sallah.
According to him, only workers earning above N200,000 monthly may be able to meet basic family needs, but even such salaries may still not be sufficient for festive spending.
“You can only manage to survive with about N200,000 monthly because of the present economic hardship, but as a civil servant, buying a ram for Sallah is now becoming difficult,” he said.
Mohammed lamented that many workers are forced to focus on food and other essential expenses rather than Sallah preparations.
“You cannot borrow money just to buy a Sallah ram. If you borrow money for a ram, what happens to feeding, house rent, and children’s school fees? These are more important responsibilities,” he added.
He further disclosed that civil servants in Borno State have not witnessed any significant yearly salary increment for over a decade, worsening their economic conditions amid the rising inflation rate.
“For more than 10 years, there has been no yearly salary increment for civil servants in Borno State. Things are getting harder every year, and salaries are no longer enough,” Mohammed stated.
He argued that owning a Sallah ram has gradually become a luxury beyond the reach of many civil servants in Nigeria.
“Sallah ram is no longer for civil servants in Nigeria. Many people will just focus on food and celebrate with what they have,” he added.
Meanwhile, ram sellers in Maiduguri have also complained of poor patronage this year, attributing the low sales to the harsh economic situation affecting residents.
One of the livestock traders, Malam Bullama, said business has slowed significantly compared to previous years, noting that many potential buyers are no longer showing interest in purchasing rams.
According to him, civil servants who usually patronise ram markets after salary payments are now prioritising household feeding over festive spending.
“After salaries are paid, most civil servants are now rushing to buy food items and other necessities. Many people are not talking about buying rams or sheep this year,” Bullama said.
He added that the market turnout this year is far lower than what traders experienced during the same period last year, raising concerns among sellers who depend heavily on the Sallah season for profit.
The situation highlights the growing economic pressure on Nigerian workers, especially in states affected by insecurity and rising living costs, as families prepare to mark one of the most important religious celebrations in the Muslim calendar.
