Nigerians are bracing for a fresh economic strain as cement prices climb sharply in January 2026. Reports indicate that a 50-kilogram bag of Dangote, Mangal, and other major brands now costs up to N10,500, up from about N9,800 in December 2025—a jump of N1,000 or roughly 7.1 percent per bag.
The price adjustment has already been implemented in Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, and other regions, with variations depending on location.
The increase comes despite Nigeria’s vast natural resources for cement production in places like Obajana, Kogi State, and Okpella, Edo State. It also defies earlier assurances from major industry players that cement would not exceed N7,000 per bag.
Industry analysts warn that the surge in cement costs will have a domino effect on the real estate market. DAILY POST reports that minimum rents for self-contained apartments have skyrocketed by more than 100 percent, reaching N800,000 per annum in urban centers such as Abuja and Lagos, up from around N400,000.
The nation’s inflation rate had already climbed to 15.15 percent in December 2025 from 14.45 percent the previous month, compounding the cost-of-living crisis.
Ex-REDAN President Sounds Alarm
Alhaji Aliyu Oroji Wamakko, former president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), expressed deep concern over the hike, warning that it threatens property development, housing affordability, and employment.
“The increase will inevitably push up rent and construction costs,” Wamakko said. “Many businesses in the construction value chain could be forced to close, resulting in job losses.”
He recalled that last year, major cement producers, including Dangote and BUA, were invited by the Presidency after prices rose to about N10,000 per bag and pledged to reduce costs to around N7,000. Yet, the reasons behind the current hike remain unclear, and the government has yet to issue any statement.
Wamakko also criticized the inactivity of the Price Control Board, which is mandated to monitor such trends. He cited factors such as rising demand from large-scale road projects, substitution of cement for other materials, currency fluctuations, and Nigeria’s dependence on imported chemicals and equipment for production.
He called for a thorough review of the cement production and pricing system to address the root causes and prevent further economic strain.
“Honestly, we cannot predict how high cement prices will go. There must be a complete check within the system to identify the problem and find solutions,” Wamakko concluded.
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