Reform Or Ruin? Cement Price Surge Raises Alarm Nationwide

Across Nigeria, homeowners, builders, and tenants are raising alarm over the persistent surge in cement prices, now ranging from ₦9,500 to ₦12,000 per 50kg bag—despite earlier commitments from industry giants like Dangote and BUA to support President Bola Tinubu’s housing agenda by cutting costs.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Back in March 2025, Nigerians welcomed a price drop to ₦7,800 per bag—down from a staggering ₦15,000 in February 2024—with hopes that the trend would continue. Both Dangote and BUA promised further reductions in May 2025, but prices have since spiked again, with increases of 28% to 53% reported in Abuja and other cities.

Speaking to the Daily Post, concerned citizen Benjamin Udoka criticized Dangote for not applying the same cost-cutting strategy used in fuel pricing to cement.

“It’s frustrating that Dangote hasn’t extended his so-called fuel relief approach to cement. In parts of Abuja, a bag now sells for ₦11,000. It’s heartbreaking,” he said, urging the government to enforce price controls before rent costs become unmanageable.

Maryam Abubakar, a resident of Dawaki, echoed these frustrations, highlighting how the price hikes are crippling middle-income families.

Former presidential aspirant Aliyu Wamakko attributed the price surge to poor regulatory oversight, high demand, and insufficient dialogue between the government and cement producers.

“As long as demand keeps outpacing supply, prices will climb. Cement should be cheaper since 70% of its raw materials are sourced locally,” Wamakko said. He urged the government to resume negotiations with manufacturers and implement policies that prioritize housing development over road construction. “If cement remains expensive, rent and property prices will follow,” he warned.

Manufacturers Silent as Nigerians Bear the Brunt

When contacted, a spokesperson for Dangote declined to comment. Similarly, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has remained mute on the issue.

Although Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 22.97% in May 2025—with food inflation also easing—housing costs have continued to rise. In Abuja’s Gwarimpa, for instance, rent for a one-bedroom self-contained apartment has jumped from ₦700,000 to ₦1.5 million annually.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s much-publicized 3,112-unit housing project, launched in February 2024 by Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has seen no visible progress.

A Senate resolution to investigate the rising cost of cement, introduced in 2024, has also stalled—leaving millions of Nigerians at the mercy of an unstable market.

Without decisive intervention, the promise of affordable housing under the Renewed Hope Agenda may crumble under the pressure of unchecked pricing and regulatory inaction.

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest travel updates and guides.