📌 Quick answer: A 50kg bag of the main brands (Dangote, BUA, Mangal) costs about ₦12,000 at the latest check (1 September 2026). Shops in Lagos and Abuja commonly charge ₦12,500 – ₦15,000, and remote northern states pay more because of transport. Buying a full trailer from an authorised distributor is the cheapest way to buy.
Cement Price Per 50kg Bag Today
The table below comes from the NaijaSabi Price Index. Each price shows when it was checked and where it came from, and the table updates by itself when we record new prices.
These prices were last checked on 1 September 2026 and may have changed since. Confirm before you buy.
| Brand | 50kg bag | Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any major brand | ₦12,000 – ₦14,000Up 18%since Apr 2026 | Up 18%since Apr 2026 | |
| Dangote | ₦12,000Up 8.1%since Apr 2026 | Up 8.1%since Apr 2026 | |
| BUA | ₦12,000Up 6.7%since Apr 2026 | Up 6.7%since Apr 2026 | |
| Mangal | ₦12,000Up 12%since Apr 2026 | Up 12%since Apr 2026 |
Retail shops add a margin on top of market and depot quotations, so a single bag from a neighbourhood shop usually costs ₦500–₦1,500 more than the figures above. Prices also change from week to week, so ask for a dated written quote before you pay.
Cement Prices in Lagos and Abuja
These prices were last checked on 7 July 2026 and may have changed since. Confirm before you buy.
| Brand | 50kg bag | Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any major brand | ₦12,500 – ₦15,000Up 28%since Apr 2026 | Up 28%since Apr 2026 |
These prices were last checked on 7 July 2026 and may have changed since. Confirm before you buy.
| Brand | 50kg bag | Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any major brand | ₦12,500 – ₦15,000Up 21%since Apr 2026 | Up 21%since Apr 2026 |
In July 2026 a market survey by The Guardian found a 50kg bag typically selling for ₦12,500–₦15,000 in Lagos, Abuja and Aba, nearly double the average in other African markets such as Ghana and Kenya. The cheapest bags are usually found at depots and main dealers close to the factories in Ogun, Kogi, Edo and Sokoto.
Cement Price by Brand: What to Expect
| Brand | Where it is strongest | Price position |
| Dangote | Nationwide (plants at Obajana, Ibese and Gboko) | Usually the benchmark price; often a little above other brands in shops |
| BUA | North-West and South-South (Sokoto, Edo, Cross River) | Close to Dangote; often cheaper in the far north |
| Mangal | Northern markets | Similar to BUA and Dangote |
| Other brands (Ibeto, Unicem, regional brands) | South-East and South-South | Often slightly cheaper; check the SON mark |
All Portland cement sold for structural work must meet the Nigerian Industrial Standard and carry the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) mark. For columns, beams and decking, use the brand and grade your structural engineer specifies.
How Many Bags of Cement Do You Need?
| Work | Typical bags |
| Foundation, 3-bedroom bungalow | 80 – 150 |
| Block-laying mortar, 3-bedroom bungalow | 200 – 350 |
| Plastering, inside and outside | 100 – 180 |
| Floor screed | 30 – 60 |
| Decking (suspended slab) | About 1 bag per 1 – 1.5 square metres |
| Whole 3-bedroom bungalow | 400 – 650 |
| Whole 4-bedroom duplex | 700 – 1,000+ |
What that costs: at about ₦12,000 a bag (September 2026), the cement alone for a 3-bedroom bungalow comes to roughly ₦4.8 million to ₦7.8 million, and for a 4-bedroom duplex ₦8.4 million to ₦12 million or more. These are guides only. A quantity surveyor’s bill of quantities is the figure to budget with.
How Much Is a Trailer of Cement?
A trailer usually carries 600 to 900 bags. Distributors give their best per-bag price on full trailers, often ₦500–₦1,500 a bag below shop prices. At around ₦11,000–₦12,000 a bag, a 600-bag trailer is roughly ₦6.6 million to ₦7.2 million and a 900-bag trailer ₦9.9 million to ₦10.8 million before delivery. Always confirm the brand, the price per bag, delivery and the date the quote expires in writing.
Why Cement Is So Expensive in Nigeria
- Energy. Kilns run above 1,400°C on gas, coal or fuel oil, and most plants generate their own power. Diesel for trucks has also become far more expensive in 2026.
- Transport. Cement is heavy and moves by road. The further you are from a plant, the more you pay per bag.
- The exchange rate. Spare parts, some fuels, chemicals and packaging are paid for in dollars.
- Layers of middlemen. Factory, primary distributor, dealer and shop each add a margin.
- Few producers. A handful of companies make most of Nigeria’s cement, which limits price competition. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said it is watching cement prices, but there is no price cap.
How to Buy Cement Cheaper
- Buy from an authorised distributor, not the nearest shop. Ask the manufacturer’s customer line for distributors in your state.
- Buy by the trailer if you can store it, or share a trailer with neighbours building at the same time.
- Buy in the rainy season. Demand usually drops between June and September, and dealers negotiate more.
- Use the right cement for each job. Your engineer may allow a cheaper brand for block moulding, fences and screeds.
- Do not over-order. Cement loses strength after about three months even in good storage.
How to Store Cement So It Does Not Harden
- Keep bags off the floor on pallets or planks, at least 30cm from walls.
- Cover the stack with polythene or tarpaulin and keep it under a roof.
- Stack no more than 10 bags high.
- Use the oldest bags first and mark delivery dates on them.
- Buy no more than about eight weeks of what you will use.
Cement, Mortar and Concrete: Mix Ratios
Cement is an ingredient, not a building material on its own. Mixed with sand it becomes mortar; mixed with sand and granite it becomes concrete. Common residential ratios are 1:2:4 (cement, sand, granite) for structural concrete, 1:6 for block-laying mortar and 1:4 for plaster, but your structural engineer’s specification always comes first. Cutting the cement in a mix to save money weakens the building.
Cement Price History in Nigeria
| Period | Typical 50kg bag |
| 2020 | About ₦2,500 – ₦3,000 |
| 2023, after the petrol subsidy ended | About ₦5,000 – ₦7,500 |
| 2024 | About ₦7,500 – ₦10,000 |
| Early 2026 | About ₦10,000 – ₦12,000 |
| Mid to late 2026 | About ₦12,000 – ₦15,000 |
The full record of every price we have checked, with dates and sources, is on the cement page of the NaijaSabi Price Index, where you can also download it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a bag of cement in Nigeria now?
About ₦12,000 for a 50kg bag of Dangote, BUA or Mangal at the September 2026 market check, and ₦12,500 to ₦15,000 in many Lagos and Abuja shops. The table at the top of this page shows the latest checked price.
How much is Dangote cement per bag?
About ₦12,000 per 50kg bag in September 2026 market quotations. Shop prices are higher, especially far from Dangote’s plants.
How much is BUA cement per bag?
Also about ₦12,000 per 50kg bag in September 2026, and often slightly cheaper than Dangote in northern markets near BUA’s Sokoto plant.
How many bags of cement build a 3-bedroom bungalow?
Usually 400 to 650 bags across foundation, blockwork, plaster and floors, which is about ₦4.8 million to ₦7.8 million at ₦12,000 a bag.
Will cement prices come down?
Not quickly. Energy and transport costs rose sharply in 2026. A stronger naira and more competition could ease prices, but there is no government price cap.
Sources
- Market quotations for Dangote, BUA, Mangal, HBM and Linma cement, 1 September 2026, as reported by Legit.ng.
- The Guardian (Nigeria) survey of cement prices in Lagos, Abuja and Aba, July 2026.
Last updated: 12 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Finance Desk. The price tables update automatically from the NaijaSabi Price Index. Get a dated written quote before you buy.
Also read: Iron rod price in Nigeria · How much it costs to build a house in Nigeria
0 Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!