The LC3 Information Days, held in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, on 23rd and 24th April 2025, aimed to raise awareness and foster discussion around adopting Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in Nigeria. The two-day event was attended by the LC3 TRC Africa team—Jamil Famau (Cement Laboratory Manager) and Erick Nabea (Geologist)—which is housed by the Institute of Cement and Concrete at Meru University of Science and Technology, alongside key project partners, including Prof. Karen Scrivener (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL) and Mr. Laurent Grimmeisen (CEMENTIS); representatives from the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN); cement users; professionals in Nigeria’s construction industry and academia; cement manufacturers notably Dangote Cement, Lafarge, and BUA Cement; SIKA Nigeria; and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
The events featured presentations from diverse stakeholders, highlighting the critical need for low-carbon and affordable cement solutions within the Nigerian context.
Presentations covered several key themes:
- The need for LC3 in Nigeria- Presentations emphasized the urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of the Nigerian cement industry and the broader built environment.
- Affordability and accessibility- discussions underscored the importance of ensuring that LC3 technologies are both affordable and accessible to a wide range of users across Nigeria.
- Challenges to LC3 adoption- Despite the positive enthusiasm, significant obstacles to LC3 adoption were also identified, including Cultural inertia and Fragmented regulations.
- Sustainability of the built environment- The crucial role of sustainable construction materials in achieving broader sustainability goals for Nigeria’s built environment was a central theme, resonating strongly with attendees.
- Nigeria’s leadership role- The potential for Nigeria to become a leader in LC3 innovation and implementation within the African cement industry was discussed at length.
Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives are as follows:
- Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN)- The representative, Mr. Emanuel, expressed a commitment to exploring and implementing LC3 technologies, emphasizing the need for supportive policies and incentives to facilitate the transition.
- Cement Users highlighted the importance of cost-effectiveness and performance in their choice of cement but also expressed a willingness to consider LC3 if its performance and price were competitive.
- Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) representatives discussed the role of standardization in facilitating the adoption of LC3, emphasizing the need for clear standards and regulations to ensure quality and consistency. They expressed a willingness to work with stakeholders to develop appropriate standards.
The events highlighted the potential for LC3 adoption in Nigeria while identifying key challenges that must be addressed. The considerable positive enthusiasm expressed by attendees is encouraging and suggests a strong foundation for future collaboration and implementation efforts.