Cement prices in Nigeria remain elevated, with a 50kg bag selling for between ₦12,000 and ₦15,000 in many markets, putting further pressure on builders, contractors and Nigerians planning construction projects.

The latest market data shows that although some brands are currently available below the ₦15,000 mark, the industry remains significantly more expensive than it was at the end of 2025 and early 2026.

Recent market quotations show the following indicative prices for a 50kg bag:

Note: prices may vary by location and transportation costs.

These figures are based on a September 1 market report and can vary depending on location, transportation costs, dealer margins and supply conditions.

However, July industry data painted a more expensive picture. CementNet reported retail prices of ₦12,000 to ₦15,000, with Dangote selling for about ₦13,000–₦15,000, BUA at ₦12,000–₦14,500, and HBM Nigeria, formerly Lafarge Africa, at ₦12,000–₦13,500.

The latest figures suggest that cement prices may have eased from the highest quotations seen earlier in the year, but the broader trend remains upward.

In July, The Guardian reported that a 50kg bag typically sold for ₦12,500–₦15,000 across major markets including Lagos, Abuja and Abia.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) also reported that prices had reached between ₦13,000 and ₦15,000 in some locations during the first half of 2026.

This means the current ₦12,000–₦14,000 quotations for several major brands should be viewed as some market-level moderation rather than a broad collapse in cement prices.

Why cement remains high

High energy and transportation costs continue to weigh heavily on the industry. Cement manufacturing requires significant amounts of energy, while moving cement from factories and depots to retail markets adds further costs.

Location is also playing an important role. Buyers in areas farther from production centres can pay substantially more because of haulage and distribution expenses.

The situation is particularly significant because Nigeria has substantial cement production capacity, yet retail prices remain high. The Guardian reported that domestic production exceeds consumption, with surplus output exported to neighbouring countries.

Nigerian civil servants on Grade Level 8 now earn between N1,479,276 and N1,914,514 annually, depending on their step within the scale, following the new minimum wage signed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The figures fall under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), the framework that governs pay across Nigeria’s federal civil service.

CONPSS covers 17 grade levels in total, and a worker’s position within each level is shaped by their qualifications, length of service, and performance record.

Grade Level 8 has 14 steps, with each step representing a progression in earnings. Below is the full breakdown:

The gap between the lowest and highest steps at this level amounts to N435,238, reflecting how significantly length of service can affect take-home pay within a single grade.

Interest in the salary structure has grown since Tinubu’s government approved a new national minimum wage, which triggered a review of earnings across the public sector. Civil servants and job seekers have been keenly examining each grade level to understand what the adjusted structure means in practical terms.

Workers at Grade Level 8 are typically mid-level employees with some years of experience in the civil service. Their earnings sit above the entry-level grades but below the senior cadre, making this level a reference point for many who are planning career progression within the federal workforce.

Digital payment platform, OPay, has reassured its customers that its services will continue uninterrupted, dismissing a viral report claiming that the company would shut down operations from September 1, 2026.

Naija News reports that the claim, which gained traction across social media platforms, suggested that OPay would temporarily suspend its services and stop processing transactions as well as account-related requests.

The message further advised customers to withdraw money in their accounts before the alleged shutdown, prompting concerns among users of the fintech platform.

However, OPay described the report as false and malicious, insisting that there was no plan to suspend its operations.

In a statement posted on its social media platforms on Sunday, the company said, “OPay is not going on break by September. We’re here, and we’re going nowhere!”

The fintech company said customers should be cautious about information circulated on social media, particularly when such messages concern their money, accounts or access to financial services.

OPay noted that its official communication channels remained the appropriate source for information about changes to its services.

The company also pointed out that the viral message contained indications that it was not an authentic communication from the fintech.

It said, “True OPay users know how to identify our official communications. Take a closer look at the viral post, and you’ll spot the red flags.”

OPay appealed to members of the public not to spread unverified claims, saying false information could unnecessarily cause panic among customers.

It advised users to establish the authenticity of financial-related information before acting on or sharing such messages.