Prices of Cement in Nigeria – For a period of time we have been seeing price of cement in Nigeria fluctuates endlessly and keeps increasing.
The frequent fluctuations in cement prices in the country are due to a number of worrisome factors, which are making business difficult for cement manufacturers in the country.
While some of these factors can be easily controlled by the manufacturers themselves, others are totally beyond their control.
The Prices of Cement in Nigeria isn’t uniform in all parts of Nigeria. Most of the time, the prices in Lagos, especially the high-profile areas, are slightly higher than the prices obtainable in other parts of the country.
In fact, a 50kg bag of cement in Lagos can cost as much as N200 more than the standard market price. However, you’re unlikely to get anything less than the standard market price.
So, to be on the safe side, always add about N200 to the current prices displayed on this page if you’re in Lagos or any other part of the country where the costs of goods and services are usually higher.
Prices of Cement in Nigeria Right Now
How much is a bag of cement in Nigeria now? As of recent, the retail price of cement in Nigeria is ₦3,200 — ₦3,600 per bag, depending on brand, location, and other factors. And the wholesale price (600 bags) is ₦1,850,000 to ₦2,100,000, depending on the manufacturer.
Cement Brand | Retail Price (per bag) | Wholesale Price (600 bags) |
Dangote Cement | ₦3,450 – ₦3,600 | ₦1,900,000 – ₦2,100,000 |
Elephant Cement (WAPCO) | ₦3,350 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,900,000 – ₦2,050,000 |
Ashaka Cement | ₦3,350 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,900,000 – ₦2,050,000 |
Ibeto Cement | ₦3,350 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,900,000 – ₦2,050,000 |
Eagle Cement | ₦3,300 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,880,000 – ₦2,030,000 |
BUA Cement | ₦3,300 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,880,000 – ₦2,030,000 |
UNICEM | ₦3,200 – ₦3,500 | ₦1,850,000 – ₦2,020,000 |
Why Cement Price Keeps Increasing In Nigeria
Here are some of the factors responsible for the ever-increasing and unstable prices of cement in Nigeria, despite the ban on importation of cement into the country.
1. High maintenance costs:
Because cement manufacturing involves heavy-duty machinery and huge facilities, the cost of maintenance can be very high.
This makes the day-to-day running of cement manufacturing plants very expensive. And to remain profitable, manufacturers have to increase prices.
2. High distribution costs:
When it comes to distributing and delivering goods, it’s common knowledge that cost of delivery is directly proportional to the weight of conveyed goods.
This explains why manufacturers spend heavily to distribute the commodity, which is quite heavy due to its nature and composition.
This explains why most manufacturers prefer to establish their plants in locations close to their target customers, and why most plants cover only proximal geographical areas.
3. Erratic power supply:
This is an age-long problem in Nigeria that plagues every aspect of the country’s economy. So, it’s quite expectable that it will significantly affect cement production in the country, which requires heavy duty automated machinery that is powered electrically.
Due to the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, cement manufacturers depend on expensive alternative sources of power, and this results in high overhead costs, and ultimately, increased product prices.
4. Unfriendly government policies:
Over the years, the Nigerian government, through its policies, has been hostile to cement manufacturers in the country.
While the ban on the importation of cement is commendable, there are other worrisome policies that make things difficult for manufacturers. These include multiple taxes and other ever-changing policies.
Other factors responsible for unstable cement prices in Nigeria include technological inadequacies on the part of the manufacturers as well as constraints in the buying power of consumers caused by the harsh state of the Nigerian economy.