The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commenced a formal investigation into major manufacturers in Nigeria’s cement industry over the sharp increase in the price of cement across the country.
The Commission said it has issued a Notice of Commencement of Investigation and Summons to Produce to affected companies following preliminary findings from a three-month cross-border study conducted by its Anticompetitive Practices Department.
According to a statement signed by FCCPC Director of Corporate Communications, Ondaje Ijagwu, the investigation was prompted by persistent complaints from members of the public over the rapidly rising cost of cement.
The Commission’s preliminary 40-page field report showed that the retail price of a 50-kilogramme bag of cement rose significantly during the first half of 2026.
It said cement sold for between N9,300 and N9,700 in January but had increased to between N13,000 and N15,000 in several parts of the country by July.
The FCCPC said the price increase requires closer scrutiny given Nigeria’s substantial cement production capacity.
According to the Commission, the country has an installed production capacity of more than 60 million to 65 million metric tonnes annually, while estimated domestic demand stands at about 25 million to 30 million metric tonnes.
It noted that the significant gap between installed capacity and domestic demand would ordinarily be expected to create competitive pressure capable of moderating prices.
The Commission also compared cement prices in Nigeria with those in other Sub-Saharan and North African markets and found that Nigerian retail prices remained considerably higher than prices recorded in countries including Kenya, Tanzania and Togo.
The FCCPC highlighted Togo in particular, noting that the country does not have natural limestone deposits, yet cement prices there remain lower than those observed in Nigeria.
Cement manufacturers have attributed recent price increases to several macroeconomic challenges, including the depreciation of the naira, rising energy costs, transportation and logistics expenses, as well as increased costs of imported industrial machinery and spare parts.
However, the FCCPC said it is examining these explanations against verified operational data as part of its investigation.
Under the formal summons issued to the affected manufacturers, the companies are required to provide detailed records covering their pricing methodologies, factory capacity utilisation rates, export volumes and agreements governing their distribution networks.
The Commission said the exercise is intended to establish whether market conditions, cost pressures or potentially anti-competitive practices are contributing to the elevated price of cement in Nigeria.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns over the impact of high cement prices on housing construction, infrastructure development and the broader cost of building projects across the country.
