Cement Market Soars: Dangote, BUA Prices Spike This Week

The escalating cost of cement in Nigeria continues to pose a serious challenge for builders and contractors, with both regular and specialized cement products experiencing notable price increases across retail outlets nationwide.

Recent market surveys show that prices for essential building materials—such as Plaster of Paris (POP), white cement, and fire-resistant castable cement—are steadily rising, further straining budgets for construction and finishing projects.

Latest Cement Price Snapshot (Per Bag)

• Plaster of Paris (POP) Cement – ₦10,000

• White Cement – ₦16,000

• Dangote Cement (50kg) – ₦10,200

• BUA Cement (50kg) – ₦10,000

• Fireproof Castable Cement (Refractory Cement) – ₦33,000

Prices may vary slightly depending on region, vendor, and purchase quantity, but all indicators point to a consistent upward trend in cement and related materials.

POP cement, frequently used for ceilings and ornamental interior work, now sells for ₦8,000 in some areas. White cement—favored for decorative wall finishes and tiling—has doubled in price in certain markets, reaching ₦16,000.

Leading brands like Dangote and BUA continue to dominate the market, with bags selling at ₦8,500 to ₦8,550 in major cities. Despite repeated efforts by manufacturers to stabilize costs, these figures remain a heavy burden for private builders and small contractors.

For more advanced construction projects requiring high heat resistance—such as furnaces and kilns—Refractory Castable Cement is priced at a steep ₦33,000 per bag due to its limited supply and specialized nature.

Key Factors Driving Cement Price Hikes

• Rising Energy Costs: Cement production depends on consistent gas and power supply, and price volatility in this sector directly impacts manufacturing expenses.

• Transportation Challenges: Poor road infrastructure and skyrocketing fuel prices increase distribution costs across Nigeria.

• Naira Depreciation: The weakened value of the naira against the U.S. dollar drives up the cost of imported equipment and raw materials.

• Demand Surge: Construction activity often peaks seasonally, driving demand and inflating prices.

• Supply Chain Instability: Security concerns and limited production output create bottlenecks in cement supply.

• Specialty Manufacturing: Niche products like refractory cement cost more due to their complex composition and limited local production sources.

The continued rise in cement prices is not only affecting housing affordability but also stalling numerous infrastructure projects across the country. Many small-scale builders and prospective homeowners now face tough decisions—either delaying their projects or reducing their scope significantly.