HBM Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development, Community Investment

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable development, saying its investments in host communities, environmental stewardship and local capacity development are improving lives while creating long-term value across Nigeria.

Speaking during a media engagement in Lagos on Monday to provide insights into the company’s recent name change to HBM Nigeria Plc, Alade-Akinyemi said sustainability remains at the core of the company’s business strategy, with increasing investments in projects that promote inclusive economic growth and positively impact host communities.

He disclosed that HBM Nigeria has consistently increased its annual sustainability spending over the past five years, funding initiatives in education, healthcare, environmental conservation, community infrastructure and youth empowerment. According to him, the company’s commitment to creating shared value has driven sustained investments aimed at strengthening communities while supporting business growth.

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“Our sustainability initiatives continue to impact lives and strengthen communities because we believe strongly in sustainability, and we put our money where our heart is. Every year, we continue to increase our investments because creating shared value for our communities is fundamental to who we are as a business,” Alade-Akinyemi said. He added that the company would continue to invest in research and innovation, create opportunities for Nigerians and deliver value to customers, shareholders and communities.

The HBM Nigeria boss also highlighted the economic impact of the company’s ongoing expansion projects at its Ashaka and Sagamu cement plants, noting that they are creating employment opportunities by prioritising skilled and unskilled youths from host communities during construction. He said the projects would generate more than 100 direct jobs upon completion, alongside thousands of indirect opportunities across the supply chain, while strengthening local contractors and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Alade-Akinyemi further stated that HBM Nigeria remains focused on improving operational efficiency through alternative energy solutions and productivity enhancements to reduce cost pressures. He assured customers that despite the company’s rebranding, its products and quality standards remain unchanged.

“Our expansion is about much more than increasing production capacity. It is about creating jobs, empowering local businesses, supporting Nigerian contractors, and delivering lasting economic benefits. The multiplier effect is enormous, and this is only the beginning. The brands Nigerians have trusted for decades remain the same. Elephant Cement remains Elephant. Unicem remains Unicem. Ashaka remains Ashaka. Our products, our quality, and our commitment to excellence have not changed,” he said.