Consumers and builders across several states are grappling with another spike in cement prices, as the cost of a single bag now ranges between N10,500 and N11,000 in many parts of the country.
Recent market checks in Kwara, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and other northern states reveal that the increase cuts across major brands, placing added strain on household builders, block makers and contractors who are already struggling with tight budgets.
Kwara: Sharp Rise Within Weeks
In Ilorin and other parts of Kwara State, cement that sold for between N9,300 and N9,700 just last month now averages N10,500 to N10,700 per bag, depending on brand and location.
At key building materials hubs in the state capital:
- Dangote Cement has climbed from about N9,500 to between N10,500 and N10,600.
- BUA Cement has increased from roughly N9,500–N9,600 to around N10,600–N10,700.
- Lafarge Africa products are now selling within the N10,600–N10,700 range.
- Mangal Cement, previously the most affordable at N9,300–N9,400, now goes for N10,500 to N10,600.
Traders blame the development on rising supply chain costs and higher production expenses. However, buyers say such explanations offer little relief as construction budgets continue to swell.
An Ilorin-based dealer operating under the name Orire Cement confirmed that many customers are voicing frustration.
“Sales have dropped because people cannot afford to buy in large quantities again. Even those purchasing truckloads of 900 bags are reconsidering because the total cost has increased significantly,” she said.
Abuja: Prices Edge Even Higher
In Abuja, similar trends are evident. Market checks in Utako and other building materials hubs show:
- BUA Cement selling for as high as N11,200 per bag in some outlets.
- Dangote Cement priced at N10,800 in Utako market, while other locations offer it at about N11,000.
Dealers noted that customers who buy full truckloads of Dangote cement can still secure prices around N10,500 per bag. However, such bulk discounts are often out of reach for small-scale builders.
According to sellers in Abuja, transportation costs, loading charges and distributor margins continue to widen the gap between factory prices and what end users ultimately pay, further intensifying the burden on consumers.
