FIYOM Technology Limited has advocated increased adoption of 3D printing in the country to reduce dependence on importation.

The company noted that the adoption of the technology in various sectors could help the country save $30 billion over the next 10 years, create over 100,000 new jobs and boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Speaking during a seminar to herald the launch of 3D printing technology in Nigeria, the Managing Director of FIYOM, Yomi Fowode, said the event, themed ‘3D Printing Technology: Its Beginning, Effects and Business Opportunities in Nigeria’ was to create awareness on the application of 3D printing in the manufacturing sector.

“3D printing technology would spur rapid growth within the sector and increase Nigeria’s manufacturing GDP contribution as well as other sectors of the economy,” he said.

He noted that in developed countries, 3D printing was already being adopted by several manufacturing industries, regretting that little was known about the technology in Nigeria.

“This is the age to introduce it to the youths; it will raise their awareness. With the use of 3D they will bring their imagination to fulfillment.

“Through 3D printing, medicines can be customised to suit people with different metabolic rates. Likewise some machine parts that take a long time to get can be manufactured faster with the use of 3D at a cheaper cost and at lesser number of days. Duration is faster and cheaper,” he said.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, Mr. Akeem Popoola, said the state was looking at 3D printing technology from the economic perspective with a view to boosting its manufacturing capabilities.

“If we look at what we have today, most of the manufacturing parts that we use in Nigeria are imported from other countries. We are trying as much as possible to promote locally grown manufacturing products. So, this will really come in handy because of the fact that once you have the specification of the product, you can use the device to build the actual product you are going to integrate into production,” Popoola said.

Commissioner for Science and Technology, Ogun State, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu, also said the coming of 3D printing technology innovation was timely, adding that it would fill the gap that has already been created in the printing technology sector in Nigeria.

“With the introduction of this technology, I know the hurdles and problems we are having in the past will be fully solved,” he said.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, urged Nigerians to adopt 3D technology, adding that it was gaining ground all over the world.

“The growth has been phenomenal; it is currently a 12 billion US dollar industry worldwide,” Lemo noted.