Agency urges traders to uphold ethical market practices, prioritising compassion and fairness during fasting seasons
By Joy Onu
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has warned traders and market operators nationwide to refrain from hoarding essential food items or artificially inflating prices during the holy months of Ramadan and Lent.
Director General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu expressed concern over reports that some marketers are deliberately withholding staple foods consumed during fasting periods. This practice, he said, creates artificial scarcity and drives up prices, putting ordinary Nigerians under unnecessary pressure.
“This is a period that calls for reflection, charity, and empathy for the less privileged. It is deeply troubling that some individuals would exploit this spiritual moment for excessive profit-making at the expense of vulnerable citizens,” Issa-Onilu said.
The DG emphasised that hoarding and price manipulation are not just economically harmful—they are morally indefensible. He reminded traders that fairness, transparency, and moderation are both a national and spiritual duty.
NOA is calling on trade associations, market unions, and commodity groups to exercise internal discipline and discourage exploitative behaviour among their members. The DG also urged collaboration with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with ethical market practices.
He further stressed that Ramadan and Lent present opportunities for integrity and social responsibility, not avenues for opportunistic gain. The agency is committed to ongoing sensitisation campaigns across all states and local government areas, promoting values of economic responsibility, national cohesion, and social conscience.
As Nigerians navigate these fasting periods, NOA will continue to monitor market trends, engage stakeholders, and safeguard citizens’ welfare.
