HBM Nigeria Plc to Create Hundreds of Jobs as Cement Expansion Targets 4.5 Million Tonnes by 2027
By Aboki Forex —
HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, has announced that an ongoing production expansion will generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, with vacancies already open at its Sagamu and Ashaka plants. The Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, stated this over the weekend during a media parley in Lagos, saying the company is scaling up operations to add 4.5 million tonnes to annual cement production capacity by January 2027.
Vacancies Open at Sagamu and Ashaka Plants
Alade-Akinyemi said the expansion directly creates employment opportunities. He stated: “What does this come with? It comes with employment opportunities. There are so many vacancies we're trying to fill in Sagamu and Ashaka. It means youth empowerment. It also means diversity and inclusion that we are very passionate about, creating opportunities for women. Beyond the direct employment, we are creating jobs for SMEs, developing suppliers and supporting local contractors.”
The plants are located in Ogun State and Gombe State, respectively. The company expects the expansion to boost local supply and meet Nigeria's growing demand for infrastructure, particularly concrete road construction.
New Chapter After Chinese Acquisition
The company was previously known as Lafarge Africa Plc before China's West China Cement Group acquired a controlling stake, prompting the name change to HBM Nigeria Plc. Alade-Akinyemi described the transition as the start of a new growth chapter. He said: “It is therefore my pleasure to formally introduce HBM Nigeria Plc. This transition reflects our partnership with West China Building Materials following the acquisition of the controlling stake in Lafarge Africa Plc. More importantly, it represents a new chapter of our growth, one that is defined by operational excellence, sustainability, innovation, infrastructure development and stronger collaboration across our business.”
The CEO reassured customers and shareholders that the rebrand does not alter the company's standards or direction. He stated: “I want to assure all our stakeholders that while our name has changed, our purpose remains the same. The values that have defined this company over the past 67 years remain firmly intact. We are the same trusted organisation, now operating under a new identity that reflects our aspirations for the future.”
Product Range and Green Cement
Alade-Akinyemi also highlighted the company's product range, which includes cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, mortar products and an environmentally friendly cement that produces roughly 30% lower carbon emissions than conventional alternatives.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government has urged cement manufacturers in the country to cut down the prices of cement. The government warned that the prevailing price of the commodity was impacting infrastructure projects and escalating demands for contract variations. Umahi added that discussions were underway to discuss strategies that would help mitigate consistent hikes in cement prices.
For the naira and Nigerian businesses, the increased local cement supply from HBM's expansion could ease price pressures in the construction sector, reducing reliance on imports and supporting infrastructure development.