The high cement costs gradually correspond to conversations about practicable alternatives for builders and developers in the construction sector
Cement forms a critical component for the construction of foundations to roof.
However, the high cement costs were worried for many Nigerians to build decent houses for themselves.
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Daily Trust checks show that the cement prices of 3,300 N per 50 kg bag rose by over 200 percent to a record high of 10,200 N in June 2025 in 2021.
The increase is due to a combination of factors, including increasing production costs, currency fluctuations and high demand.
Swimming the Naira against the dollar has also increased the costs of imported materials used in cement production.
Against this background, the stakeholders begin to raise awareness of the need for alternatives to cement, of which a bamboo is.
Bamboo was a model for construction in some parts of the world, although its introduction to Nigeria is very slow
The introduction of the building for construction is common in Asia, North America, South America and some African countries
About bamboo
Daily Trust reviews show that bamboo is a versatile system that can be used for various purposes, including construction, furniture and paper production.
It is a rapidly growing plant that can be harvested within 3 to 5 years, which means that it is a sustainable resource for Nigeria and is growing well on various land types, including humiliated and marginal countries, so that it is suitable for Nigeria.
The plant also offers ecological advantages such as soil protection, carbon binding and habitat for wild animals.
What stakeholders say
The President of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, Mobolaji Adeniyi, said that the increasing costs for building materials are a significant challenge that restrict affordable living space and infrastructural development in Nigeria.
She found that research and investment in local building materials are of crucial importance and that the agency revives for the research and development of the building, which could be a game change.
She also found that alternatives such as bamboo could also serve as a possibility to increase affordable living space.
“By making the agency for industrial needs and gaining investments more relevant, it can increase the mass production of building materials. In order to address this, we have to focus on increasing the availability and use of local materials. If you rely on imported materials, we increase the costs due to the reproduction of foreign exchange volatility.
“In addition, the promotion of indigenous materials such as bamboo, compressed earth blocks and stones from the region would help reduce the dependency of imports and reduce the costs,” she said.
Adeniyi added that architects examine partnerships with local manufacturers in relation to the promotion of local materials in order to promote the use of Nigerian materials and thus reduce the costs associated with imports.
A former President of the Nigerian Institute of Urban Planner, TPL Steve Onu, also spoke on this topic that “much on site can be carried out for the improvement of affordable apartments, but Nigeria is more interested in politicizing it.
He stated in an instance that “a sixty million Naira, who was handed over to a legislator to buy a car, could have made 16 houses available with 10 million each if there are more urgent needs in the country”.
He said Bamboo, if you are well researched by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Housing construction, can provide valuable solutions for affordable apartments.
A real estate expert, Femi Oyedele, warned that the idea that bamboo is an alternative for cement may not work if it is not well researched.
He said: “Bamboo cannot be used entirely as wall material, but as a member of the roof structure, floor tiles and ceiling materials after processing. The bamboo house violates the psychology of the living space.
“Due to the short lifespan compared to sand cret and mud tile walls, bamboo reacts in water and Nigeria, which is a tropical country, due to the short lifespan.
“China has about five different bamboo research and development centers. There is a Zhejiang province that was founded in 1984 by the China Forestry Ministry and in the province of Zhejiang. When we had our Bambus technology training in the international center for Bambus and Rattan in Chaoyang, in Chaoyang, China, China. And furniture and furniture were made up. Processed, treated and finished bamboo manufactured.
“Afterwards, bamboo houses as affordable living space are not sustainable. At best, they are used as a demonstration and temporary accommodation,” he said.
Bamboo of crucial importance for climate intelligent – FG
The constant secretary of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Science and Technology, Ms. Esuabana NKO Asanye, said that the Nigerian technologies for buildings and road research institutes (NBRRI) will build affordable and durable houses for Nigerians with Bamboo.
Ms. Esuabana, who was represented by the director of the Environmental Science Technology (EST), Ms. Benadette Oguche, recently gave the explanation a one-day workshop for capacity building on the relevance of bamboo for climate shaving construction: Integration of the technologies of the Nigerian building Road Research Institutes (NBRRI) technologies when reducing CO2 feet.
According to the constant secretary, “Bambus is a versatile system for a variety of purposes, including construction, reduction in carbon emissions, traditional medicine, paper production, food and various purposes as well as sustainable resource in building materials.
Esuabana said that by taking over these building materials, Nigeria will not only promote environmental -related sustainability, but will also ensure that the construction process matches the principles of adaptability, comfort and affordability for both low and medium income earners in the country.