By Moyinoluwa Ojegbade
As Muslims prepare for the 2026 Ileya festival scheduled for May 27, some residents in Lagos have expressed mixed feelings about the celebration amid rising food prices and economic hardship.
Speaking with reporters at Iju-Ishaga Market, a tomato seller, Mr. Adamu Esa, said he plans to spend the festival with family and friends after attending prayers at the mosque.
He explained that the celebration would begin with thanksgiving prayers for the successful completion of fasting and spiritual activities associated with the season.
According to him, after the prayers, he intends to visit friends who will slaughter rams as part of the traditional sacrifice associated with the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“Ileya is more than just a holiday. It is a time for family reunion, charity and reflection,” he said, adding that despite the harsh economic situation, Muslims would still find ways to celebrate.
Also speaking, Mrs. Aisha Abubaka, an Ankara fabric trader at Obawole Market, said she was keeping her plans simple because of the economic realities facing many families.
She said she would attend prayers at the mosque and later celebrate with friends and fellow Muslims.
“Despite the hardship, we will still celebrate in our own little way and make it memorable,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs. Faridat Olayemi, who was shopping for food items, said she planned to host family members and guests after observing prayers.
She noted that although the cost of food and other essentials had increased significantly, it would not stop her from celebrating the festival modestly.
Similarly, Miss Amina Yusuf, a frozen foods trader along Alamutu Road near Fagba, said the rising prices of goods had affected preparations for the festival.
She, however, said she would still mark the celebration in a simple but memorable way.
