KANO, Nigeria – With Eid ul Mawlid, also known as Mawlid an-Nabi, falling on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, many Nigerian families are scaling back traditional preparations as rising food prices and economic pressure limit their ability to buy basic items such as chickens, rice, tomatoes and other staples.
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday a public holiday to mark the occasion commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
However, for households already facing daily challenges in putting food on the table, the holiday arrives amid constrained budgets.
In Kano, resident and father Musa Ibrahim said he normally purchases chickens for his family during Mawlid so they can share a special meal. This year, he is uncertain he can afford even one. “At the moment, I only have N1,000, and I have a family to take care of, you can see that buying a chicken is no longer possible,” Ibrahim said. He added that he would explain the situation to his children and urge patience if necessary, noting that the family has celebrated the occasion in previous years.
Market activity reflects the reduced demand. Chicken seller Sagir Ya’u, known as Slow, reported significantly slower sales compared with previous years. He said bigger chickens cost between N5,000 and N10,000, but customers are opting for smaller, cheaper ones. As of Monday, he had sold only 15 of more than 100 chickens in stock. “In previous years, when people knew that Mawlid was the next day, I would sell more than 50 chickens. But now, only 15 have been sold, and they are mostly the smaller ones. When people hear the price of the bigger ones, they simply walk away,” Ya’u said. He attributed the weak sales partly to limited cash in circulation and delayed salaries for some government workers.
Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano State Council of Ulama, acknowledged the financial difficulties, particularly during the rainy season, and said this year’s economic hardship has intensified the pressure. He advised Muslims not to treat the celebration as a competition over spending and to observe it according to their means. “It is done for the sake of Allah. Lack of money should not have much effect because it is not a competition, and Allah does not burden anyone beyond their capacity,” he said.
National data underscores the broader context. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation rose to 20.31 percent year-on-year in July 2026 from 17.52 percent in June, while the month-on-month rate accelerated to 5.56 percent. Headline inflation eased to 15.43 percent over the same period. Items contributing to the food price increases included rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper, garri, plantain, beef and eggs.
Market reports from various cities show elevated prices for staples. In some locations, a large basket of tomatoes has been reported at between N70,000 and N75,000, while bags of onions have reached N150,000 in certain cases. Rice prices have varied, with local and imported bags commonly cited in the N55,000 to N70,000 range depending on quality and market. Chicken prices for festive use remain out of reach for many lower-income households.
Across the country, families report adjusting expectations for the celebration. Some plan simpler meals, fewer or no animal purchases, and reduced spending on new clothes or gatherings. Traders note lower patronage overall as households prioritise essentials over traditional festive fare.
The situation highlights ongoing cost-of-living pressures even as overall inflation has moderated in recent months. For many, the focus of Eid ul Mawlid this year centres on religious observance rather than elaborate communal meals or purchases.
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