The act of offering a sacrifice during Eid al-Adha is considered a vital religious obligation for those who meet the financial threshold known as Nisab. It is meant to be an expression of devotion, but also a moment of sharing, when meat is distributed to family, neighbors, and the less fortunate so that no one is left out of the celebration. In many homes across Nigeria, the sight and smell of meat on Eid day is as much a part of the festival as the prayers themselves.
This year, however, the reality in Zamfara State tells a different story for a large number of civil servants. According to reports from senior workers in the state, about 90 percent of civil servants were unable to fulfill the religious obligation of sacrifice due to low salaries. The financial strain has reached a point where even a senior civil servant would need to multiply their monthly pay by three just to reach the Nisab required to purchase a ram. For many, the monthly income barely covers basic food needs, let alone the cost of an animal for sacrifice.
The situation has been made worse by the absence of the 25 percent salary bonus that the government previously provided around Eid. In past years, that bonus allowed workers to at least afford a chicken for the occasion, keeping the spirit of the festival alive in their households. This year, the bonus was not paid, leaving many families unable to participate in the ritual in any form. Some civil servants believe the decision is connected to the governor’s recent defection to the APC, though no official explanation has been given.
The gap between the religious expectation and the economic reality has left many workers frustrated and disheartened. Civil servants in the state are questioning how they are expected to observe a core Islamic duty when their take-home pay cannot sustain them for a month. Food inflation and the rising cost of livestock have only widened the gap, making the sacrifice financially out of reach for the majority.
In light of this, there are growing calls for the government to urgently address the plight of workers in the state. Advocates argue that the government should look into the critical situation facing civil servants and consider measures that can ease the burden, whether through wage adjustments, timely payment of allowances, or targeted support during religious seasons. The argument is simple: if the monthly salary cannot buy enough food for a household, it is unrealistic to expect workers to afford a ram for sacrifice.
At the same time, there is an appeal to those who have the means to perform the sacrifice this year to remember their neighbors. Community leaders and residents are being urged to extend the spirit of Eid by sharing meat with civil servants and other vulnerable families who can only smell the aroma of cooking from neighboring homes. The essence of Eid al-Adha is not only in the act of slaughtering but in ensuring that the benefit reaches those who are struggling.
As Zamfara marks another Eid al-Adha, the message from workers is clear. They want to observe their faith fully and celebrate with their families like others, but that depends on having a livelihood that makes it possible. Until wages reflect the cost of living and support systems are in place, many will continue to watch the festival from the sidelines, hoping for a change that restores both their dignity and their ability to participate in one of Islam’s holiest days.
