The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced plans to establish Nigeria’s first Metal Additive Manufacturing Hub, an initiative aimed at strengthening local industrial production and reducing the country’s dependence on imported components.
The proposed hub was unveiled during the second edition of NASENI’s Science Perspective Engagement Series held at the Technology Orientation Centre (TOC) at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja. The event focused on the potential of metal additive manufacturing, commonly known as metal 3D printing, to transform Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
During the engagement, experts highlighted how additive manufacturing could allow industries to produce complex and highly customised components directly from digital designs. Unlike conventional manufacturing methods that remove material from larger workpieces, additive manufacturing builds components layer by layer, potentially reducing waste and improving production efficiency.
The technology has applications across several industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, energy, oil and gas, construction and defence. Components such as aircraft parts, medical implants, turbine systems, electric vehicle components, pistons and brake calipers can be produced using metal additive manufacturing.
NASENI officials said developing local capacity in the technology could help Nigeria retain more of the capital currently spent on imported industrial components. The initiative also aligns with efforts to develop value-added applications for the country’s solid minerals, including the use of locally processed minerals as feedstock for advanced manufacturing.
The proposed hub is expected to incorporate several stages of the manufacturing process, including digital product design, process simulation, laser powder-fusion systems, powder recovery and recycling, surface finishing and quality assurance.
NASENI also highlighted the potential economic benefits of the initiative, including the creation of new businesses, skilled employment opportunities and additional revenue, while strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging technologies.
To support the sustainability of the proposed facility, NASENI called for a public-private partnership model in which government provides enabling infrastructure while private-sector partners contribute specialised equipment, technical expertise and investment capital.
The agency further encouraged participants in the engagement series to turn the knowledge and ideas generated from the discussions into practical innovations capable of addressing Nigeria’s industrial and technological challenges.
