How rising Cement prices is threatening Nigeria’s Housing and Infrastructure Drive — Umahi

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Nigeria’s ambitious housing and infrastructure development plans may be jeopardised by the unrelenting rise in cement and other building material costs, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has cautioned.

Speaking during an inspection of the Abuja–Obajana Junction road project in Kogi State over the weekend, Umahi voiced concern that while government reforms are stabilising the naira and easing inflation, the prices of critical construction inputs remain on the rise.

“The dollar is being stabilised, but the price of cement has moved from ₦7,500 to ₦10,500; same with shipping, same with sand. Inflation is coming down even though construction materials are going up, and we don’t know why,” he said

The minister stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritised road and bridge projects as central pillars of its development strategy, recognising their role as catalysts for economic growth. He noted that the construction industry remains vital to Nigeria’s GDP, with multiple sectors relying on its performance.

Umahi described the soaring costs as an economic paradox, comparing it to scientific anomalies where outcomes defy expectations. Despite these challenges, he highlighted that reforms are beginning to show progress in other areas, especially food pricing.

“We are doing the best we can under the circumstances. And we are happy that food prices are coming down,” he added.

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