The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has cautioned traders and market operators across the country against hoarding and artificially inflating the prices of essential food items during the holy months of Ramadan and Lent.
In a statement issued by Bala Musa, Director of Communication and Media, Mallam Issa-Onilu expressed concern over reports that some marketers are deliberately withholding staple commodities commonly consumed during the fasting period.
According to him, such actions create artificial scarcity and drive up prices, worsening the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
The NOA Director General described the practice as economically disruptive and morally indefensible, particularly during a sacred season that emphasises compassion, sacrifice, generosity, and social responsibility.
“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,” he said.
Issa-Onilu noted that deliberate hoarding of food items undermines national efforts toward economic stability, fuels inflation, and imposes avoidable hardship on families already grappling with challenging economic realities.
He reiterated that responsible market conduct is both a patriotic duty and a moral obligation, stressing that fairness, transparency, and moderation in pricing align with national values and religious teachings.
The NOA boss further urged trade associations, market unions, and commodity groups to enforce internal regulatory discipline by discouraging exploitative practices among their members.
He also called for collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with ethical market standards.
Mallam Issa-Onilu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained sensitisation campaigns across states and local government areas to promote value reorientation, economic responsibility, and national cohesion.
He appealed to marketers to view Ramadan and Lent as opportunities to demonstrate integrity and social conscience, rather than avenues for opportunistic gain.
The National Orientation Agency, he added, will continue to monitor developments and engage stakeholders to safeguard citizens’ welfare and uphold values that strengthen the nation’s social fabric.
