BY Isaiah Eka
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has issued a strong advisory to traders and market operators across the country against the hoarding and artificial inflation of prices of essential food items during the holy month of Ramadan and lent.
The Director Communication and Media, NOA, Mr Bala Musa, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Uyo.
Issa-Onilu expressed concern over reports indicating that certain marketers were deliberately withholding staple commodities commonly consumed during fasting period thereby creating artificial scarcity and driving up prices to the detriment of ordinary Nigerians.
He said that such practices were not only economically disruptive but 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,” Issa-Onilu said.
According to him, deliberate hoarding of food items undermines national efforts at economic stability, fuels inflation, and places avoidable hardship on families already navigating challenging economic realities.
The DG reiterated that responsible market conduct is a patriotic duty and a moral obligation.
He emphasised that fairness, transparency, and moderation in pricing are aligned with both national values and religious teachings.
He urged trade associations, market unions, and commodity groups to exercise internal regulatory discipline by discouraging exploitative behaviour among their members.
The director general called for collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with ethical market standards.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustained sensitisation campaigns across all states and local government areas, promoting value reorientation, economic responsibility, and national cohesion.
He appealed to marketers to see Ramadan and Lent as opportunities to demonstrate integrity and social conscience rather than a window for opportunistic gain.
