In Nyanya Market, outskirt of FCT,Abuja Nigeria. Market traders have expressed concerns over sluggish sales during the ongoing period of Ramadan and Lent. The usually bustling market, particularly on Wednesdays, was notably quiet on February 25th, 2026, as customers seemed to be opting for ready-cooked meals in the evenings instead of purchasing raw food items.
“You see this beans ehn last year na 700 we dey sell am but this year the price don go up to 1500”madam Fatima(a market trader).
She noted that the prices of certain food items are not stable compared to last year 2025 with increases seen in products like beans: mudu 1500, groundnut oil: 1 liter 4000, and egusi: cup 1200, while prices for tomatoes have decreased from 35000 to 18000 big basket. Despite the price drops, traders lamented that the reduced profit margins have impacted their businesses .
Another onions seller Stella “ Any time people see say price don rise na so dey go rush come market come buy but as soon as the price don go down like this dey no go even come again, as price dey go down e dey really affect us o” They explained that higher prices tend to drive increased sales as customers rush to make purchases before further price hikes.
Also before the Ramadan and lent started the traders confirmed, that cost goods were cheaper the number of customers that were coming was really high and market traders had enough profit to their business.
Another trader selling beans, garri, and local rice lamented about decline in sales during the Ramadan and Lent period.
“ as this fasting start so I no dey even see market sell sef na so person go come sit down for shop from morning to night you no go still see market sell” mama Praise, She attributed this downturn to customers fasting, leading to reduced demand for food items. She expressed concerns about some food items getting damaged due to inability to make sells.
The market traders’ struggles during the fasting period to make sells as customers observe Ramadan and lent.
