A scandal is brewing in northern Nigeria as dates donated by the Saudi Arabian government for free distribution during Ramadan have allegedly found their way into markets, where they are being sold at exorbitant prices.
Social media has been flooded with outrage after images of the donated dates, clearly marked “Not for Sale,” surfaced online, exposing what many see as the exploitation of a humanitarian gesture meant for the less privileged.
Facebook user Yasir Ramadan Gwale was among the first to raise the alarm, posting a photo of the dates with the inscription from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
He wrote:
“Alhamdulillah. The dates that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, gave to Nigeria have now arrived. As written on the leather bag, the dates are not for sale. Anyone who sees them being sold in a shop or market should report them to the nearest police station. Anyone who has not received the dates and is patient will receive a message, God willing.”
However, within hours, Nigerians began reporting that the dates were being sold openly across markets in Kano and other northern cities.
A shocking revelation came from a trader, Ridwan Mustapha, who brazenly admitted on Facebook:
“If you come to my shop now at Kurmi Market, Kano, you’ll find it at an expensive price. We sell it for N8,000. Buy it or leave it. May Allah reward Saudi Arabia and punish the oppressors of Nigeria.”
His claim was quickly corroborated by multiple users, who shared their experiences of seeing or being offered the charity dates for sale.
One Facebook user, Shamsudeen Hassan, recounted his encounter:
“Yesterday, they brought this date fruit for me to buy for N15,000. It is being sold around the city. But I feel like it was sent to us by Saudi Arabia inside this month!”
Shamsudeen added that he confronted a seller carrying the distinctive Saudi-donated dates in the market.
“I asked if he was selling them, and he said yes. I then asked how much, and he told me N15,000. I paid, took a picture, and handed it back to him. But I have no idea where he got them from—I don’t even know him!”
The growing outrage has led to calls for an investigation, with many urging Saudi authorities to trace the distribution channels and hold those responsible accountable.
Twitter user @Hussaenerh called on the Saudi government to intervene, sharing an alleged receipt of a sale:
“Dear @CICSaudi, Below is a receipt showing the donated dates being sold. Many struggling Nigerians can’t afford ₦10,000 for dates; they’d rather buy food for their families. These were meant to be free. We hope this issue is addressed.”
Similarly, @AM_Saleeeem urged Saudi authorities to verify if the aid reached the intended beneficiaries:
“Dear @CICSaudi, the dates you sent to Nigeria are not distributed to the citizens. Someone alleged that they’re selling it to average Nigerians. Please do your own homework and find out if it really reached your target.”
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja recently held an official ceremony to distribute 100 tonnes (100,000kg) of dates to Nigeria as part of its annual humanitarian efforts.
Facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the initiative aimed to support vulnerable families and strengthen the bond between the two nations.
During the ceremony, Faisal bin Ibrahim, the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian causes, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its mission to “foster Islamic solidarity and provide relief to those in need, particularly during significant religious periods such as Ramadan.”
However, the unfolding scandal now casts a shadow over this noble initiative, raising concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the distribution chain.
Despite the public outcry, Nigerian authorities have remained silent, failing to address how these charity items ended up in private markets instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries.
As the controversy escalates, many Nigerians are demanding accountability, fearing that this may just be one of many cases where aid meant for the poor is diverted for profit.
With Saudi Arabia’s reputation for humanitarian aid at stake, will there be a crackdown on those profiting from charity meant for the needy? Or will this too be swept under the rug?
PIONEER NEWS 