The Federal Government has issued a firm directive to cement manufacturers nationwide to immediately lower the market cost of their products. This intervention comes amid rising concerns that current pricing structures are creating significant financial strains on active infrastructure initiatives across the country. According to authorities, the pricing surge has led to numerous construction firms demanding contract variations, a situation that the government insists must be addressed by adjusting production costs rather than public budgets.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced that official talks between the government and major industry stakeholders are scheduled to commence on July 1, 2026. Speaking at an industrial gathering in Lagos, Umahi stated that building material suppliers must take proactive measures to manage their pricing structures instead of relying on the state to absorb rising material expenses. The minister emphasized that contractors are under immense pressure due to financial constraints, but noted that the administration will not be reviewing existing project allocations.

Beyond securing public infrastructure, the government highlighted that a reduction in market rates is essential to support affordable housing for everyday citizens. The ongoing expansion of transport networks, bridges, and highways under President Bola Tinubu’s administration offers extensive commercial prospects for suppliers who adapt to the country’s development needs. Consequently, industry players have been urged to scale up their manufacturing volumes to balance affordability with the accelerating demands of national growth.

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Estate surveyors in Ondo State have called on governments at all levels to address the rising cost of building materials, warning that the trend is contributing significantly to the growing housing affordability crisis in Nigeria.

The call was made by the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Dr. Akintomide Akinlabi, while speaking with journalists in Akure ahead of the institution’s annual NIESV Week.

Akinlabi said the soaring cost of construction materials has become a major factor driving the sharp increase in house rents across the country.

According to him, when the cost of constructing buildings rises, landlords inevitably transfer the burden to tenants through higher rental charges.

Rising construction costs drive rent increases

Akinlabi explained that the housing crisis in Nigeria is closely linked to the cost of construction inputs.

He noted that developers are currently facing high prices for key building materials, which makes housing development more expensive and limits the availability of affordable homes.

He warned that unless the cost of building materials is addressed, housing will remain out of reach for many Nigerians.

“If building materials are expensive, housing will be expensive. We must address the fundamentals,” he said.

Call for promotion of local building materials

The estate surveyor urged government authorities to promote the local production of building materials as a long-term solution to the problem.

According to him, increased reliance on locally sourced construction materials could significantly reduce building costs and ease pressure on the housing sector.

He noted that traditional building materials such as mud blocks and stones were widely used in the past and have proven durable and efficient.

Akinlabi added that mud blocks also provide better insulation, making buildings cooler and more energy efficient.

He, however, said the challenge lies in producing such materials in large quantities to meet modern construction demands.

Government urged to lead by example

The NIESV chairman also called on the government to demonstrate leadership by using locally produced building materials in public construction projects.

He argued that when government agencies adopt local products, it boosts public confidence and encourages wider acceptance among developers and homeowners.

Akinlabi noted that Nigeria’s dependence on imported or high-cost conventional materials has placed additional pressure on developers, especially at a time when access to affordable housing finance remains limited.

Housing should be treated as a social service

He further urged governments to treat housing as a social service in order to improve affordability for citizens.

According to him, greater public investment in residential estates would increase housing supply and help stabilise rental prices through market competition.

Akinlabi explained that expanding housing stock would naturally reduce pressure on the rental market.

Activities for NIESV Week

The chairman also announced activities planned for the 2026 NIESV Week in Ondo State.

He said the programme would focus on professionalism, youth engagement, gender inclusion and physical wellness.

Activities scheduled for the week include a novelty football match, a quiz competition for tertiary institutions, the NIESV Women and Young Surveyors’ Forum, a dinner event and the institution’s Annual General Meeting.

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