Just days before the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, ram traders at the Mai’adua International Livestock Market in Katsina State are expressing concern over poor sales despite a noticeable drop in animal supply. The situation has been linked to a directive by the Niger Republic’s military government banning the export of livestock into Nigeria.
A correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the market observed that traders are facing both limited supply and reduced demand. This comes despite ongoing trade efforts between the two countries, including a multi-billion-naira railway project connecting Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Maradi in the Niger Republic. President Bola Tinubu recently confirmed that the project is on track to be completed in 2026.
Price changes have also been recorded. A large ram that previously cost ₦1.7 million now goes for ₦1.2 million. Medium-sized rams, which sold for ₦700,000 last week, have dropped in price, while smaller rams start at ₦100,000.
Bashir Hassan, a livestock trader from Niger Republic, said the border restrictions are strictly enforced. According to him, no livestock—cows, rams, goats, or camels—is allowed to leave Niger, especially after the 2024 floods in cities like Niamey, Maradi, and Tawa, which killed many animals. He said security forces, immigration officials, and local leaders have been instructed to seize animals from anyone attempting to cross the border with them.
Hassan added that these seizures are contributing to the shortage, but sales are also down compared to the previous year.
Another trader, Alhaji Muazu Maifaru, noted that Nigerian traders still have access to local farms, though they often depend on animals from Niger Republic. He believes the restriction affects Nigerien traders more. Despite the livestock export ban, Maifaru mentioned that agricultural products, such as maize, pepper, mangoes, and rice, are still being exported to the Niger Republic. He pointed out that “Mangal rice” is widely seen in markets there.
He urged the Nigerien military government to reconsider its policy, warning that such trade barriers could disrupt long-standing cross-border commerce.
