Cement Prices Skyrocket In Nigeria – Here’s Why You’re Paying More

According to Ireporter Online, cement prices across Nigeria have surged, with dealers citing rising logistics and distribution costs as key factors behind the increase. Builders and consumers, however, have expressed concern over the impact on construction activities.

In Abuja, a dealer revealed that customers purchasing a full truckload of Dangote Cement can still obtain the product at approximately ₦10,500 per bag, though such bulk discounts remain largely inaccessible to small-scale builders. Transportation, loading fees, and distributor margins further widen the gap between factory prices and what end-users pay.

In Lagos, the price of a 50kg bag of cement rose from about ₦9,000 in December 2025 to ₦10,000 in January 2026, and has now reached as high as ₦11,500 in certain areas. Retailers in the state have accused dealers and middlemen of inflating prices arbitrarily. Ikechukwu Anthony, a cement seller in Ojo, said, “We buy cement from middlemen and dealers, not directly from manufacturers. They claim prices have increased due to transport costs, but we know that’s not true.” Another seller in Badagry, Ibrahim Ojo, echoed these concerns. Dealers have largely remained silent on the issue, fueling speculation among consumers.

In Kano, the benchmark price for cement has risen to ₦10,500 and above. Alhaji Nasiru Awwalu Mustapha, a BUA Cement dealer in Kumbotso Local Government Area, explained that manufacturers now supply cement at elevated rates, with BUA at ₦10,500, Dangote at ₦10,450, and Mangal at ₦10,550 per bag. “By the time we add transport and other costs, retail prices reach ₦10,800 to ₦11,000,” he said, noting that rapid price adjustments are affecting demand and causing some customers to suspend projects. Sani Maigemu, another dealer, added that taxes and statutory obligations have contributed to the new pricing structure.

Block makers are also adjusting their prices in response. Aminu Inuwa, a block maker in Kano, revealed that cement now costs between ₦10,800 and ₦10,900 per bag, prompting an increase in block prices; a nine-inch special block has risen from ₦750 to ₦800. Similar trends were observed in Kaduna, where BUA cement sells for ₦10,900 and Dangote and Mangal for ₦10,800, while Jigawa records prices as high as ₦11,000. In Zaria, some dealers reported slightly lower rates, with Sokoto Cement, BUA, and Dangote available at around ₦10,200 per bag.