HBM Nigeria Plc has announced that the expansion of its cement plants in Ogun and Gombe states will generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs as the company increases production capacity to meet rising national demand.
The company, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc and now part of Huaxin Building Materials Group following the acquisition of a controlling stake by China’s West China Cement Group, said on Monday that the expansion projects will add 4.5 million tonnes to its annual production capacity. The projects are scheduled for completion in January 2027.
Speaking during a media briefing in Ikoyi, Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the investment is intended to deliver benefits beyond increased production.
“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, which 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,” he said.
Alade-Akinyemi said the expansion would strengthen local supply chains while creating additional opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises providing logistics, maintenance, and other support services.
He linked the planned recruitment drive to ongoing national infrastructure projects, noting that the increasing adoption of concrete roads, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, is driving higher demand for cement.
The CEO added that the company’s wider operations already sustain thousands of jobs and make significant contributions to government revenue through taxes.
Beyond cement production, HBM Nigeria also manufactures aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and mortar, and has introduced an environmentally friendly cement product designed to reduce carbon emissions.
“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,” he said.
