By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has issued a stern warning to traders and market operators nationwide over the hoarding and artificial inflation of essential food items during the holy seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
According to the statement signed by Bala Musa, Director of Communication and Media, NOA, Issa-Onilu raised alarm over reports that some marketers are deliberately withholding staple commodities widely consumed during fasting periods, creating artificial scarcity and driving up prices at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.
Describing the development as both economically disruptive and morally indefensible, the NOA chief stressed that the sacred seasons call for compassion, sacrifice, generosity, and social responsibility — not profiteering.
“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.
According to him, deliberate hoarding undermines national efforts to stabilise the economy, fuels inflation, and imposes additional hardship on families already grappling with difficult economic conditions.
The NOA DG emphasised that responsible market conduct is not only a patriotic duty but also a moral obligation, noting that fairness, transparency, and moderation in pricing align with both national values and religious teachings.
He urged trade associations, market unions, and commodity groups to enforce internal discipline among their members and discourage exploitative practices. The Director General also called for stronger collaboration with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with ethical market standards.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to public sensitisation, Issa-Onilu said the NOA would intensify 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 a window for opportunistic gain.
The agency said it will continue monitoring market developments and engaging stakeholders to safeguard citizens’ welfare and uphold the values that strengthen the nation’s social fabric.
