Nigerians may soon face increased economic pressure following a fresh rise in the cost of cement across the country. Leading cement brands, including Dangote Cement and Mangal, have reportedly adjusted their prices upward nationwide.
Recent findings show that the price of a 50kg bag of cement climbed to as much as ₦10,500 in January 2026, up from approximately ₦9,800 recorded in December 2025.
This latest adjustment reflects an increase of about ₦1,000 per bag, representing a 7.1 percent rise within just one month.
According to reports by Daily Post, the new pricing regime is already in effect in Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger State, and several other regions, with variations influenced by location and transportation expenses.
Gossip News Now notes that the development has left many Nigerians puzzled, especially considering the country’s abundant deposits of limestone and other essential raw materials for cement production found in areas such as Obajana in Kogi State, Okpella in Edo State, and other mining locations.
The latest price hike comes despite earlier commitments by major industry players that cement prices would be capped at ₦7,000 per bag.
Experts within the construction sector warn that the rising cost of cement could deepen Nigeria’s housing challenges, making accommodation increasingly unaffordable for average-income earners.
Investigations reveal that annual rent for self-contained apartments has surged by over 100 percent, rising to around ₦800,000 from roughly ₦400,000, particularly in major cities like Abuja and Lagos.
Despite escalating rents and construction expenses, the Federal Government has yet to announce any concrete intervention measures, even as overall living costs continue to rise.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s inflation rate climbed to 15.15 percent in December 2025, up from 14.45 percent recorded in November.
Reacting to the situation, former President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Alhaji Aliyu Oroji Wamakko, expressed deep concern over the continued rise in cement prices, warning that it poses a serious risk to property development and job creation.
Speaking to journalists, Wamakko stated that higher cement prices would inevitably drive up housing costs and rents, while forcing some businesses within the construction value chain to shut down.
“Frankly speaking, we are unhappy with this development because its immediate effect is the increased cost of property development across the country,” he said.
“In addition, rent prices will rise, and job losses will increase, as some businesses will no longer be able to sustain operations under these conditions.”
Dangote, BUA Previously Promised ₦7,000 Price Cap
Wamakko recalled that cement manufacturers, including Dangote and BUA, were summoned by the Presidency last year when cement prices climbed to nearly ₦10,000 per bag.
According to him, the companies had pledged at the time to bring prices down to about ₦7,000 per bag.
“If you remember, when cement prices hit ₦10,000 last year, companies like BUA and Dangote were invited by the Presidency and promised to reduce the price to ₦7,000,” he stated.
However, he noted that the reasons behind the current increase remain unclear, adding that government authorities have remained silent on the issue.
“At the moment, nobody understands why the prices are rising again, and the government has not made any statement,” he added.
Price Control Board Inactive – Wamakko
The former REDAN president also criticized the apparent inactivity of the Price Control Board, which he said should be monitoring and regulating sharp price increases in essential building materials.
“We advised that the Price Control Board, which already exists, should be active and carry out its responsibilities. Unfortunately, nothing has been done so far,” he said.
Wamakko warned that the situation remains unpredictable, making it difficult to determine how high cement prices could climb in the coming months.
He attributed the surge in cement prices to several factors, including increased demand driven by extensive road construction projects where cement is increasingly replacing other materials.
He also pointed to foreign exchange instability and Nigeria’s reliance on imported machinery and chemical inputs required for cement production.
“Demand has increased, especially with road construction now relying more on cement,” he explained.
“Additionally, currency fluctuations play a role, as most of the equipment and some chemicals used in cement production are imported.”
Wamakko called for a thorough review of the cement production and pricing framework to identify underlying issues and develop long-term solutions.
“We believe there must be a comprehensive assessment of the system to understand the real problem and how it can be resolved,” he concluded.
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