NOA Warns Against Food Hoarding During Ramadan, Lent
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a stern warning to Nigerian traders and marketers against hoarding essential food items and raising prices unfairly during the Ramadan and Lent periods. Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu stated the agency received reports of deliberate shortages of common fasting foods, creating artificial scarcity and inflating prices across markets. He described the practice as both economically harmful and morally wrong, contradicting religious teachings of compassion during these periods of reflection and charity. The NOA chief emphasized that such exploitation increases hardship for vulnerable citizens and undermines economic stability efforts. Issa-Onilu called on trade associations and market unions to enforce ethical standards and work with regulators to prevent exploitation. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to public awareness campaigns promoting economic responsibility and national unity.