As the 2026 Eid-ul-Adha celebrations gradually conclude across Nigeria and the global Muslim community, millions of Muslims return to their daily lives with gratitude to Allah for witnessing another season of sacrifice, obedience and spiritual renewal.

Eid-ul-Adha is far beyond the distribution of meat, social gatherings or festive ceremonies. It remains one of Islam’s greatest symbols of submission to Allah, rooted in the historic sacrifice and unwavering faith of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), whose total obedience continues to inspire generations of believers.

Yet beyond the joy of celebration, the Muslim Ummah must sincerely reflect on three critical realities affecting the economy, morality and future stability of society.

1. The Economics of Sacrifice and the Need for Structured Livestock Development

Across Nigeria during the last days of Eid-ul-Adha, livestock markets recorded massive commercial activities involving hundreds of thousands of rams, cows, goats and camels slaughtered for Qurbani.

Reports from major livestock markets in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, Bauchi and Borno revealed significant increases in animal prices driven by inflation, insecurity, transportation costs and reduced grazing stability.

Available market observations suggest that:

• Nearly 68% of Muslims willing to perform Qurbani could not independently afford sacrificial animals due to economic hardship.
• Prices of rams increased between 35% and 60% in several urban centres.
• Medium-sized rams in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt sold between ₦180,000 and ₦450,000 depending on location and quality.
• Cow prices rose by over 40% in some regions.
• Many low-income Muslims depended mainly on shared meat distribution from neighbours, Islamic organisations and philanthropists.

These realities require urgent strategic thinking.

Islam encourages compassion and support for the needy, but a dangerous economic imbalance is gradually emerging where many Muslims permanently remain only recipients of sacrifice without the opportunity to participate in the worship itself.

The Muslim community must therefore move beyond emotional annual preparations into sustainable economic planning.

What Muslim Communities Must Begin

A. Community Livestock Cooperatives

Mosques, Islamic organisations and Muslim community associations should establish cooperative livestock initiatives focused on:

• Year-round animal rearing
• Group purchasing
• Subsidised animal sales
• Community grazing systems

B. Early Sacrifice Savings Culture

Muslims should cultivate monthly savings toward Qurbani rather than waiting until Dhul-Hijjah before making emergency purchases under financial pressure.

C. Youth Investment in Livestock Agriculture

Nigeria possesses one of West Africa’s largest livestock markets, yet many Muslim youths remain unemployed while large parts of the supply chain remain controlled elsewhere.

This is the time to revive halal livestock entrepreneurship through:

• Islamic cooperative financing
• Ranch development projects
• Agricultural investment schemes
• Veterinary support systems
• Community-based farming initiatives

No sincere Muslim willing to perform Qurbani should be excluded solely because of poverty.

2. Eid Festivities and the Moral Crisis of Modern Celebrations

Another major concern is the increasing moral decline attached to some modern Salah festivities and entertainment programs organised during Eid celebrations.

Islam permits lawful joy, family bonding and modest celebrations. Unfortunately, some modern festivities are gradually drifting away from Islamic ethical values.

In many places today, Eid celebrations have become associated with:

• Reckless spending
• Indecent dressing
• Alcohol consumption
• Drug abuse
• Violence
• Immoral entertainment
• Cult-related gatherings
• Unhealthy social competition

Security reports in several urban centres often record increases in:

• Road accidents
• Youth clashes
• Alcohol-related violence
• Immoral social activities during festive periods

Social observers estimate that a significant percentage of commercial “Salah shows” and street carnivals now openly contradict Islamic moral teachings.

This trend is deeply troubling.

Eid should remain a celebration of gratitude, discipline, compassion and lawful happiness — not a platform for moral destruction.

What Muslim Leaders Must Consider

A. Ethical Guidelines for Festivities

Islamic scholars, youth groups, event organisers and community leaders should jointly establish moral standards for Salah-related programs.

B. Strong Opposition to Immorality

Programs promoting indecency, alcohol, drug abuse and sexual exploitation should never receive endorsement under the banner of Islamic celebrations.

C. Family-Centred Celebrations

The spirit of Eid should focus more on:

• Family bonding
• Children’s welfare
• Educational activities
• Halal recreation
• Islamic arts
• Cultural heritage
• Charity
• Economic empowerment

D. Reducing Social Pressure

Many struggling families secretly enter debt during Eid simply to impress society.

Islam does not encourage oppressive social competition. Simplicity with sincerity remains more valuable before Allah than extravagant hypocrisy.

The moral influence of today’s entertainment culture on younger generations must never be ignored.

3. National Security, Human Life and the Sanctity of Blood

As Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha globally, Nigeria continues to face painful realities of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and violent killings.

During his Eid remarks in Lagos, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated:

“Nowhere in the holy teachings does it say you should engage in banditry or take a human life.”

The President further stressed that no religion supports the killing of innocent people.

Regardless of political differences, truth must always be acknowledged.

Indeed, no genuine religion supports terrorism, kidnapping or unlawful bloodshed.

The Qur’an declares:

“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.”
(Qur’an 5:32)

Allah also says:

“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.”
(Qur’an 17:33)

These verses establish the sacredness of human life beyond tribe, religion or political identity.

Unfortunately, insecurity in Nigeria has increasingly become politicised, with violent tragedies sometimes manipulated for political advantage rather than genuine national solutions.

This is dangerous.

Human blood must never become a political instrument.

Thousands of Nigerians across various communities have suffered displacement, economic hardship and loss of lives due to insecurity.

The consequences remain devastating:

• Food inflation
• Reduced agricultural production
• School closures
• Investor fears
• Community displacement
• Worsening poverty

The life of a farmer in Benue, a trader in Zamfara, a student in Kaduna, a cleric in Borno or a commuter in the South-West carries equal value before Allah and humanity.

As Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, Nigeria must renew its commitment toward:

• Justice
• Security reforms
• National unity
• Responsible leadership
• Constructive criticism
• Collective rejection of violence

Political disagreements must never destroy national humanity.

No government is above criticism, but criticism must remain factual, responsible and solution-driven rather than promoting hatred and instability.

Eid-ul-Adha Felicitation to the Global Muslim Ummah

As this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebrations conclude, I extend heartfelt felicitations to Muslims across Nigeria and around the world.

May Allah accept our sacrifices, forgive our shortcomings, heal our lands, protect innocent lives and restore peace to troubled communities.

May Allah strengthen the poor, guide the wealthy toward compassion, grant wisdom to leaders and unite humanity upon justice and righteousness.

May the spirit of sacrifice inspire us to build a society founded upon faith, discipline, mercy, economic empowerment and respect for human life.

Every human being deserves the right to live peacefully, worship freely and live with dignity without fear.

With deep sorrow, I also mourn the passing of Mama Taibat Bolatito Aduke Adedoja “Iya Alaso,” the beloved wife of the late Mogaji Ekolo, Chief Lamidi Madojutade Adedoja-Ekolo, and mother of my dear friend, Mallam Shakirullah Adedoja.

Mama was a woman of strong determination, discipline, righteousness and unwavering devotion to Islam. Her strict commitment to moral values and purposeful living remains a lasting legacy to all who knew her.

May Allah forgive her shortcomings, illuminate and widen her grave, and grant her Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.

Eid Mubarak.

By Okikiola Qasim FUGBA.