The Federal Road Safety Corps has stated that it is currently studying the court ruling on faded vehicle number plates.

On January 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order restraining the FRSC from arresting or imposing fines on drivers with faded number plates.

The case, marked FHC/L/CS/253/2024, was brought before the court by Chinwike Ezebube, who argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, was responsible for the quality and durability of those plates.

The court considered several questions related to the responsibility of the FRSC for the fading of number plates and whether it could penalise drivers for using plates that deteriorate due to poor quality production.

In response to the ruling, the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained to Sunday PUNCH that faded number plates result from normal wear and tear rather than poor manufacturing.

Ogungbemide emphasised that the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2012 as amended allowed vehicle owners to apply for replacement of lost or damaged number plates.

He assured that the corps was carefully reviewing the court’s decision and would fully comply with the judgment.

The spokesperson reiterated that the FRSC respects the rule of law and would not take any action that disrespects the court’s ruling.

“Faded number plates are not as a result of poor quality. Rather, it has to do with normal wear and tears which is why the NRTR, 2012 (as amended) in reg 39 gives vehicle owners the opportunity to apply for replacement of loss or damaged number plate.

“The corps is studying the court’s judgment but will not do anything to disrespect the court or its decision. “FRSC is a responsible organisation and will always abide by court order and rule of law.”

The cost of cement in Nigeria has seen notable fluctuations in recent months, largely influenced by economic conditions, production costs, and government interventions.

These price changes impact the construction industry, affecting both large-scale developers and individual builders.

Below is an updated breakdown of the latest prices for major cement brands in Nigeria, including Dangote, BUA, Lafarge (Elephant), and others.

1. Dangote Cement

Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, remains the largest cement producer in Nigeria, known for its widespread availability and quality. As of March 2025, the price of a 50kg bag of Dangote Cement ranges between ₦9,900 and ₦10,500, depending on location and retail supplier.

2. Lafarge Africa Plc (Elephant Cement)

Commonly referred to as Elephant Cement due to its distinctive branding, Lafarge Africa is a well-established name in the Nigerian cement industry. The price for a 50kg bag of Lafarge Cement currently varies between ₦9,100 and ₦10,500, influenced by regional market conditions and supply chain costs.

3. BUA Cement

BUA Cement, a major competitor in the Nigerian market, is recognized for its affordability while maintaining high quality. The 50kg bag of BUA Cement is currently priced between ₦8,000 and ₦11,000, with variations depending on the region and seller.

4. Ibeto Cement

Ibeto Cement, a product of the Ibeto Group, is known for its cost-effectiveness and growing market presence. As of March 2025, a 50kg bag of Ibeto Cement is available at prices ranging from ₦9,500 to ₦10,500.

5. United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem)

UniCem, a brand under Lafarge, has a strong market presence, especially in eastern Nigeria. It is widely used for both residential and structural construction projects. The price of a 50kg bag of UniCem Cement currently falls between ₦11,500 and ₦13,500, with location-based variations.

Government Efforts to Regulate Cement Prices

In response to rising cement costs, the Federal Government initiated discussions with major cement manufacturers, including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and Lafarge Africa. These engagements aimed to address supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and price manipulation within the industry.

As part of this intervention, an agreement was reached to lower cement prices from the previous range of ₦9,000–₦15,000 per 50kg bag to a more stable range of ₦7,000–₦8,000, depending on location. However, despite this agreement, significant price reductions have not been widely observed in the market.

The persistent high cost of cement has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, prompting further government scrutiny and potential regulatory measures to ensure affordability for consumers and businesses.

Cement prices in Nigeria remain volatile, influenced by production costs, transportation challenges, exchange rate fluctuations, and market demand. While government intervention aims to bring relief, actual price reductions have yet to take full effect. Consumers are advised to monitor market trends and buy from reputable suppliers to get the best deals.

The prices of essential food items in Nigeria have continued to fluctuate due to several economic and market factors, including rising transportation costs, seasonal availability, exchange rate fluctuations, and regional market dynamics.

These changes have had a direct impact on household budgets and food affordability for millions of Nigerians.

Below is an updated breakdown of the current prices for key food commodities across various markets in Nigeria.

1. Rice Prices in Nigeria

Rice remains a staple food in most Nigerian households, but its cost has been rising due to importation restrictions, currency devaluation, and production challenges.

Foreign Rice (50kg bag) – Currently selling between ₦72,000 and ₦75,000, depending on the brand and location.
Local Rice (50kg bag) – Priced slightly lower, between ₦69,000 and ₦70,000.

Despite government efforts to boost local rice production, demand for foreign rice remains high, contributing to its relatively higher price.

2. Beans Prices

Beans are a major protein source in Nigerian diets, and their price has surged in recent months.

White Beans (100kg bag) – Currently selling for approximately ₦110,000, a sharp increase from ₦89,000 the previous month.

The price spike is largely attributed to supply shortages, increased transport costs, and seasonal changes affecting bean harvests.

3. Tomato Prices

Tomatoes, an essential ingredient in Nigerian cuisine, have also seen price increases due to supply chain issues and seasonal variations.

Fresh Tomatoes (small basket) – Now priced between ₦3,000 and ₦3,500, reflecting a notable increase from previous months.

Price fluctuations in tomatoes are common due to perishability and weather conditions affecting production in key farming areas.

4. Prices of Noodles and Spaghetti

Instant noodles and spaghetti remain popular choices for quick and affordable meals, but their prices have also risen.

Indomie Noodles (70g pack, per carton) – Costs between ₦3,000 and ₦3,800, depending on market location.
Spaghetti (500g pack, per carton) – Priced between ₦6,700 and ₦6,800.

The increase in prices is linked to higher production costs and inflation affecting food manufacturing companies.

5. Edible Oil Prices

The cost of cooking oil has surged significantly, impacting household cooking expenses.

Groundnut Oil (25-litre container) – Now selling for approximately ₦32,500.
Palm Oil (75cl bottle) – Increased from ₦1,000 to ₦1,500.

Rising oil prices are attributed to increased demand, processing costs, and transportation expenses.

6. Prices of Other Foodstuffs

Other staple foods have also recorded price increases, further straining household budgets.

Garri (50kg bag, white variant) – Now sold at ₦20,000, up from ₦18,000.
Yam (per tuber) – Previously ₦900, now priced at ₦1,200.

Garri remains a major staple food, and its price rise is driven by higher production and transportation costs. Similarly, yam prices are affected by seasonal supply fluctuations and storage expenses.

The steady increase in food prices has raised concerns among consumers, businesses, and policymakers. While the government has introduced various interventions, such as boosting local production and reducing import dependency, the impact on affordability remains limited.

Market analysts predict that prices may remain high in the coming months unless there are significant improvements in food supply chains, transportation infrastructure, and inflation control measures.

Consumers are advised to monitor market trends and explore alternative food options where possible to manage expenses.

Food inflation continues to pose a challenge for Nigerians, with prices of essential commodities rising across the board. The combination of economic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and seasonal changes has made food affordability a major issue.