Nigeria's ginger farmers say China’s zero-tariff policy could create major export opportunities, especially as the sector recovers from a devastating blight that destroyed up to 95% of harvests in 2023. Farmers and marketers in Kaduna State say stronger government support is needed to help producers meet China’s quality standards and overcome challenges such as poor roads, insecurity and high transport costs.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Video - Nigerian ginger farmers eye China export boost under zero-tariff deal
Nigeria's ginger farmers say China’s zero-tariff policy could create major export opportunities, especially as the sector recovers from a devastating blight that destroyed up to 95% of harvests in 2023. Farmers and marketers in Kaduna State say stronger government support is needed to help producers meet China’s quality standards and overcome challenges such as poor roads, insecurity and high transport costs.
Cost of living crisis reshapes Eid spending in Nigeria
The Islamic teacher occasionally corrected a pronunciation or repeated a line, but his attention drifted.
For years, Akanji, who teaches at the Nurul Bayan Islamic School, travelled with his wife and children to Saki in Oyo State to reunite with his extended family for Eid al-Adha, often called Sallah in Nigeria.
When he did not make the trip, he would buy a ram for Eid and host a modest celebration with his family and students.
This year, neither is happening.
“I have concluded that we will just celebrate with whatever we have,” he told Al Jazeera.
The annual Muslim festival, marked by communal prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals, is approaching amid deep economic strain in Nigeria.
In Abuja, rising food and transport costs are quietly changing how many families are preparing for Eid.
No travel home
Akanji said even parents and community members who usually support his madrassa are struggling.
“Most of them have not even paid,” he said, referring to tuition fees that help keep the school and his household running.
The pressure is not confined to the classroom. It shows up in bus stations, in markets, and in the small calculations people make before deciding whether to travel or stay.
Nafisa Ibrahim from Ogun, currently in Abuja doing a mandatory one-year programme for graduates under the National Youth Service Corps, said she has dropped her plan to go home for Eid. Transport costs alone made it impossible.
There is also no guarantee her family will even be able to slaughter an animal this year.
“Transportation is about 35,000 naira [about $26], compared to the 15,000 naira [about $11] I paid when I came to Abuja in February,” she said.
Opeyemi Ibrahim, a fashion designer based in Byazhin district, said customer patronage has dropped sharply despite the approaching festivities.
He said rising fuel costs and erratic electricity supply have pushed up his operating expenses.
“When there is no electricity, we have to run the generator,” he said. “Filling it costs about 10,000 naira [$7].
But without it, the shop becomes too hot, and we still need power to iron customers’ clothes.”
Akanji said even parents and community members who usually support his madrassa are struggling.
“Most of them have not even paid,” he said, referring to tuition fees that help keep the school and his household running.
The pressure is not confined to the classroom. It shows up in bus stations, in markets, and in the small calculations people make before deciding whether to travel or stay.
Nafisa Ibrahim from Ogun, currently in Abuja doing a mandatory one-year programme for graduates under the National Youth Service Corps, said she has dropped her plan to go home for Eid. Transport costs alone made it impossible.
There is also no guarantee her family will even be able to slaughter an animal this year.
“Transportation is about 35,000 naira [about $26], compared to the 15,000 naira [about $11] I paid when I came to Abuja in February,” she said.
Opeyemi Ibrahim, a fashion designer based in Byazhin district, said customer patronage has dropped sharply despite the approaching festivities.
He said rising fuel costs and erratic electricity supply have pushed up his operating expenses.
“When there is no electricity, we have to run the generator,” he said. “Filling it costs about 10,000 naira [$7].
But without it, the shop becomes too hot, and we still need power to iron customers’ clothes.”
Inside Kubwa livestock market
At a livestock market in Kubwa, visited by Al Jazeera ahead of Eid, the strain is obvious before anyone even speaks. Men stand beside rams tied to wooden posts. Buyers move from one animal to another, ask a few questions, then drift away.
Malam Ibrahim, a livestock seller who has been in the trade for years, sat near the feed, watching most of his customers leave empty-handed.
“People come, ask for prices, and walk away,” he said.
He pointed to a ram nearby, with black-and-white markings on its body.
“This ram is selling for 600,000 naira [about $438],” he said. “Last year, the same size was below 350,000 naira [$255].”
Getting animals down from northern Nigeria, Sokoto, Kaduna and beyond, has become more expensive. Fuel prices, transport fares, everything feeds into the final cost.
“Even the sellers are suffering,” Ibrahim said. If sales stay slow, he worries the animals will remain unsold after Eid, when their value drops further. “We do not pray to take them back home, but with the looks of things, I fear so,” he said.
At a livestock market in Kubwa, visited by Al Jazeera ahead of Eid, the strain is obvious before anyone even speaks. Men stand beside rams tied to wooden posts. Buyers move from one animal to another, ask a few questions, then drift away.
Malam Ibrahim, a livestock seller who has been in the trade for years, sat near the feed, watching most of his customers leave empty-handed.
“People come, ask for prices, and walk away,” he said.
He pointed to a ram nearby, with black-and-white markings on its body.
“This ram is selling for 600,000 naira [about $438],” he said. “Last year, the same size was below 350,000 naira [$255].”
Getting animals down from northern Nigeria, Sokoto, Kaduna and beyond, has become more expensive. Fuel prices, transport fares, everything feeds into the final cost.
“Even the sellers are suffering,” Ibrahim said. If sales stay slow, he worries the animals will remain unsold after Eid, when their value drops further. “We do not pray to take them back home, but with the looks of things, I fear so,” he said.
Eid cutbacks
One woman who had come to buy two rams left with only one.
Inflation has been steady in Nigeria for years now, but what people feel most is the gap between rising prices and stagnant incomes. The naira may look more stable against the United States dollar than last year, traders say, but moving goods across the country still costs more every month.
At Kubwa village market, buyers kept moving, but few stopped to buy.
Vendors selling tomatoes, onions, rice and cooking oil said sales were slower than usual, with many families cutting back even on basic festive food.
“We used to celebrate Eid with joy,” one trader said quietly. “Now we just calculate what we can afford.”
One woman who had come to buy two rams left with only one.
Inflation has been steady in Nigeria for years now, but what people feel most is the gap between rising prices and stagnant incomes. The naira may look more stable against the United States dollar than last year, traders say, but moving goods across the country still costs more every month.
At Kubwa village market, buyers kept moving, but few stopped to buy.
Vendors selling tomatoes, onions, rice and cooking oil said sales were slower than usual, with many families cutting back even on basic festive food.
“We used to celebrate Eid with joy,” one trader said quietly. “Now we just calculate what we can afford.”
Monday, May 25, 2026
Video - Nigeria averts aviation shutdown over fuel dispute
For the second time in two weeks, Nigeria has avoided a halt to its aviation sector after a surge in jet fuel prices. Emergency talks between airlines and government ministers led to a new tax waiver and a subsidized direct fuel supply for carriers.
President Tinubu to run for second term after party primary win
The ruling All Progressives Congress party held its presidential primaries on Saturday after a surprise candidate, Stanley Osifo, challenged Tinubu.
The president ended up getting nearly 11 million votes against 16,500 for Osifo.
Tinubu has won plaudits from foreign investors after rolling out some of Nigeria's boldest reforms, including the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, ending foreign exchange controls and overhauling the tax code.
The president's chances of re-election were enhanced after an opposition pact to field a single candidate against Tinubu collapsed earlier this month.
Tinubu came into office in 2023 after winning against his two main rivals, who unsuccessfully challenged the result in court, alleging the vote was rigged. Tinubu said he won fairly.
Nigeria Military Issues Security Alert Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir Celebrations
Nigerian military has warned of possibility of attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on civilian targets using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices during next Wednesday’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations across the North East.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) gave the warning in a security advisory ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Monday in Maiduguri.
In the security advisory signed by its spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) said the terrorists may target areas of high population concentration during the celebrations.
But the Theatre Command assured the public that these threats have been thoroughly anticipated, hence, troops have been forward deployed to critical and vulnerable locations across all sectors of the Theatre ahead of the celebrations.
It also assured that surveillance and ISR assets have been fully activated, patrols have been intensified, and security forces are operating in close coordination with sister agencies, the CJTF, and community vigilance groups to forestall any threat and guarantee a secure festive period for all residents.
The Theatre Command also listed security guidance that members of the public should observe in the days leading up to and throughout the celebrations
The secirity guidance include conduct of Eid prayers and festivities as close to their homes and familiar localities as possible, avoiding large open gatherings where practicable while exercing heightened vigilance in crowded public spaces such as markets, motor parks, banking halls, and prayer grounds.
The Command also urged members of the public to report any suspicious persons, unattended objects, or unusual movements to the nearest military checkpoint, police station, or civil-military liaison point immediately and to cooperate fully with security personnel during patrols and screening operations.
In addition, members of the public are advised to avoid unnecessary movement, particularly at night or in areas with limited security presence.
The Command also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours capable of causing public panic and instead, rely on official information from verified government and security channels.
“The Theatre Command calls on traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and community stakeholders to actively engage their communities and encourage the timely reporting of credible security information ahead of and during the celebration period. Your cooperation with security forces remains invaluable to the success of ongoing operations.
“Operation HADIN KAI reassures all residents of the North East that troops are on standby, fully prepared, and firmly in control. The Command remains resolute in its determination to deny terrorists any freedom of action and ensure that the Eid El Kabir celebrations proceed in an atmosphere of peace, safety, and dignity for all. The Theatre Command wishes the entire Muslim community a peaceful and rewarding Eid El Kabir celebration,” the statement concluded.
By Ayorinde Oluokun, PM News
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) gave the warning in a security advisory ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Monday in Maiduguri.
In the security advisory signed by its spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) said the terrorists may target areas of high population concentration during the celebrations.
But the Theatre Command assured the public that these threats have been thoroughly anticipated, hence, troops have been forward deployed to critical and vulnerable locations across all sectors of the Theatre ahead of the celebrations.
It also assured that surveillance and ISR assets have been fully activated, patrols have been intensified, and security forces are operating in close coordination with sister agencies, the CJTF, and community vigilance groups to forestall any threat and guarantee a secure festive period for all residents.
The Theatre Command also listed security guidance that members of the public should observe in the days leading up to and throughout the celebrations
The secirity guidance include conduct of Eid prayers and festivities as close to their homes and familiar localities as possible, avoiding large open gatherings where practicable while exercing heightened vigilance in crowded public spaces such as markets, motor parks, banking halls, and prayer grounds.
The Command also urged members of the public to report any suspicious persons, unattended objects, or unusual movements to the nearest military checkpoint, police station, or civil-military liaison point immediately and to cooperate fully with security personnel during patrols and screening operations.
In addition, members of the public are advised to avoid unnecessary movement, particularly at night or in areas with limited security presence.
The Command also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or rumours capable of causing public panic and instead, rely on official information from verified government and security channels.
“The Theatre Command calls on traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and community stakeholders to actively engage their communities and encourage the timely reporting of credible security information ahead of and during the celebration period. Your cooperation with security forces remains invaluable to the success of ongoing operations.
“Operation HADIN KAI reassures all residents of the North East that troops are on standby, fully prepared, and firmly in control. The Command remains resolute in its determination to deny terrorists any freedom of action and ensure that the Eid El Kabir celebrations proceed in an atmosphere of peace, safety, and dignity for all. The Theatre Command wishes the entire Muslim community a peaceful and rewarding Eid El Kabir celebration,” the statement concluded.
By Ayorinde Oluokun, PM News
Related story: Boko Haram kill 33 fishermen, loggers in Nigeria
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