3D printing: How lack of technology slows adoption in Nigeria’s construction sector

The adoption of 3D printing technology in Nigeria’s construction industry is facing significant challenges leading to a surge in construction costs, writes JOSEPHINE OGUNDEJI

Despite its potential to increase efficiency and reduce costs, the construction sector in the country struggles to adopt 3D printing technology. While the industry is generally slow to embrace new advancements, 3D printing offers promising solutions.

 3D printing in construction is when companies or projects sequentially layer materials via computer-controlled processes to create three-dimensional shapes. 3D printers are useful for making new structures on-site or manufacturing components off-site for later assembly.

Africa has long lagged in manufacturing, accounting for only about 1.3 per cent of global exports despite having 17 per cent of the world’s population. However, 3D-printed construction is transforming how structures are built globally.
With the country’s construction industry grappling with uncertainty due to a lack of skilled workers, increased costs, global housing shortage, and a drastically eroding consumer spending power, 3D construction would make the difference.

According to experts, constructing 3D-printed homes offers significant potential to increase efficiency and productivity. This is because it offers a high degree of planning reliability from the start, which lowers the chances of design errors and worker injuries, and requires low coordination and monitoring efforts. This reduces construction time and lowers costs.

Construction Think-Tank, DesignWanted, in a report on the efficiency of the technology, said its process minimises material use; utilises natural, organic, or recycled materials; generates less waste; decreases transportation needs, and reduces carbon footprint.
In simple terms, 3D construction printing refers to various technologies that use 3D printing as a core method to fabricate buildings or construction components. An alternative term for this process is “additive construction”.

3D-printed homes have made inroads into the construction space due to the recent greater demand for homes and increased costs of construction materials. For a country like Nigeria with a housing deficit of over 28 million, experts believe this technology could be a game changer.

The cost to create this type of construction is relatively less and only requires one person to stay on-site and monitor the process unfold and ensure the apparatus runs properly by building a foundation and the walls.

The deployment of 3D printed construction also saves much time compared to the conventional construction process. According to experts, building an average-sized 3-bedroom bungalow using this system of construction would take approximately four to six months.

In fact, with a commercial 3D printer doing the work, it is estimated that building the structure could take about 24 hours provided the contractors have the complete doors, roof, windows, etc. Finishing the process at this instance will not take longer than weeks.

In some parts of the world, this form of construction has gained more traction because of its efficiency in cost and timeline for construction and for its benefits to the environment, particularly at a time of global action towards climate change and its attendant effects.

However, in Nigeria, there has been a slow adoption of this technology, despite the grappling rate of homelessness and the increasing housing deficit in the country.
Housing deficit

A report by the UN-Habitat disclosed that around 1.6 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing.

“Around 1.6 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing, according to a United Nations report and experts say this could rise to 3 billion by 2030.

“To house those three billion, the world will need to build 96,000 new affordable homes every day,” it stated.

The amount required to fund the housing sector in Nigeria and bridge the estimated 28 million housing deficit across the country is N21tn, the Federal Government had stated through its Bank of Industry.

In a 2022 report on Nigeria’s housing sector put together by the Bank of Industry, the bank explained that “with a growing urban population, increasing construction costs, and declining household income, access to affordable housing is becoming more difficult for millions of citizens.”

The report, titled, ‘Institutional turnaround for the next level,” obtained by our correspondent in Abuja from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, stated that while N470bn was what the Federal Government budgeted for housing in 2022, the sector would require trillions of naira to close Nigeria’s housing gap.
It stated that of the estimated 206 million persons in Nigeria, about 95.1 million lived below the poverty line, and as such it was difficult for them to have access to their own homes.

Under the section on Nigerian Housing Market in the report, the bank said, “N21trn (is the) amount required to fund the housing sector,” adding that “28 million units (is the estimated) housing deficit.”

The BOI, however, outlined some critical areas to be addressed to reposition the housing sector in Nigeria, stressing that adequate financial intervention in the housing value chain was required to boost development in the sector.

“Increased partnership with the organised private sector is crucial to unlocking opportunities in the real estate market,” the report stated.

The International Human Rights Commission recently put the estimated housing deficit in Nigeria at 28 million. However, the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, argued that it was impossible to get the actual housing deficit across the country without a thorough assessment.

During an interview with The PUNCH, the minister said, “It is not possible to determine the actual number of housing deficits that we have at this moment. The easy way by which we can do that is through a census.

“So, we have already sent questions to the National Population Commission that we want them to collect data for us on those they will be enumerating who live in their own homes, rented homes, or want to buy a house and cannot get one. That’s the only way we will have data.”
The country needs to build at least one million units per year to address this deficit, and 3D printing technology could help provide faster and more affordable housing solutions.

In 1991, Nigeria’s housing deficit was at seven million and rose to 12 million in 2007, 14 million in 2010, and 20 million units in 2018, and in 2023, Nigeria has an estimated 28 million housing deficit.

Some of the critical factors affecting the supply of housing units in Nigeria include the epileptic financial system, slow administrative procedures, high cost of land registration and land titles, housing policies, high cost of building materials, high cost of land acquisition, and a ton of other factors.

According to a study conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the formal housing production is at approximately 100,000 units per year and this is highly inadequate because at least 1,000,000 units are needed yearly to bridge the 28 million housing deficits by the government’s target date of 2033 (if the population continues at its annual growth rate of 3.5 per cent).

However, the industry’s slow adoption of this technology means that Nigeria is missing out on the potential benefits of 3D printing, including reduced construction costs and increased efficiency.

3D-printing adoption

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Builders, Kunle Awobudu, said Nigeria has yet to get a grip on the technology and expertise required for 3D construction.
Awobudu was, however, optimistic that with the bold attempts made by some top Nigerian construction outfits, it wouldn’t take long before the technology gets increased traction within the country’s real estate ecosystem.

He said, “Of course, I saw it in the United States, and later Lafarge tried to introduce it here. They tried to introduce printed homes and I think they used it on a building belonging to Ogun State around the Sagamu interchange. One or two of my colleagues who work with them are also advocates of printed homes.

“I established a partnership with a company that was doing it regularly in the US. My company tried to establish a partnership but Covid-19 disrupted that arrangement. So, it’s not yet a system that is popular here.”

In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Property and Facilities International Ltd, Mohammed Balogun, expressed optimism that 3D-printed homes would establish a firm presence in Nigeria’s real estate market soon.

According to him, the critical components of efficiency and timeline involved in printing a 3D home will ultimately trigger increased attention from developers and prospective home buyers looking to navigate through the present economic crunch.

He said, “It has been on for a long time. It’s not been fully explored here but it’s something that will happen. We’ve exploited container homes. So, definitely yes, I am sure we will explore it. It’s faster and more than cheaper. People who are doing multiple estate development will find it useful.”

The Technical Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island branch, Babatunji Adegoke, said it would be beneficial if 3-D printing is adopted in Nigeria, adding that it would save construction time thereby increasing the chances of projects to be delivered on schedule and cost.
He explained, “The adoption of 3D printing technology will also promote sustainability as it will reduce waste and the carbon footprint on the environment. 3D printing will help produce construction work faster and more accurately than human labour.

“Studies have to be conducted to compare the cost of using 3D printing technology in Nigeria compared with traditional construction practices. However, there’s a likelihood that 3D printing will be cheaper for large-scale production when we consider the speed and accuracy with which it operates.”

Cost of purchase
Adegoke said the initial cost of purchasing 3D printing equipment and materials is a significant barrier to the adoption of this technology in the housing sector.

He added, “High-end 3D printers, especially those capable of constructing large-scale structures like houses, come with substantial price tags. These prices can range from $100,000 to over $1m, depending on the capabilities and size of the printer.

‘In addition to the high equipment costs, the specialised materials required for 3D printing in construction, such as concrete mixtures and polymer blends, can also be costly and are not readily available in the Nigerian market.

“Moreover, import duties and taxes on advanced machinery add to the overall cost. High import duties that can be as high as 35 per cent significantly increase the cost of purchasing 3D printing equipment. For example, the cost of a typical construction-grade 3D printer is approximately $500,000. When import duties and taxes are factored in, the financial burden becomes even more substantial for construction companies in Nigeria.”
The technical secretary asserted that several potential solutions could help mitigate these costs plaguing the adoption of the technology.

He said, “Government subsidies or grants for companies investing in 3D printing technology can help offset the initial expenses. Encouraging local production of 3D printing equipment and materials can reduce dependency on imports and lower costs.

“Additionally, providing financing options such as low-interest loans or leasing arrangements can make the technology more accessible to construction companies. Establishing public-private partnerships can also facilitate the spread of 3D printing technology by sharing the financial burden and promoting innovation.”

Lack of skill

A data analyst at eTranzact International Plc, Adedamola Adedoyin, said a significant challenge in adopting 3D printing for housing in Nigeria is the scarcity of skilled experts in the field.

He asserted that 3D printing technology required specialised knowledge and skills, which are currently not widespread in the country.

He said, “The shortage of trained professionals can hinder the adoption and implementation of 3D printing technology in the construction industry.
“Nigerian universities and technical institutions generally do not offer specialised courses or training programmes focused on 3D printing technology, resulting in a significant gap in the workforce. Additionally, industry-led training programs or workshops for professionals to learn about 3D printing are rare.”

Nigeria’s unemployment rate surged to five per cent in the third quarter of 2023 from 4.2 per cent in the previous quarter, according to the labour force survey.

Similarly, according to a new methodology adopted by the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in Africa’s biggest economy, with more than 200 million people, fell from 5.3 per cent in Q4 2022 to 4.1 per cent in Q1 2023.

The report read, “The unemployment rate increased significantly in Q3 2023 at 5.0 per cent. This is an increase of 0.8 per cent from Q2 2023. In Q3 2023, the labour force participation rate in Nigeria was 79.5 per cent, having been 80.4 per cent in Q2 2023. The participation rate among men was 80.9 per cent and 78.2 per cent for women. Persons living in rural areas are more likely to participate in labour activities than urban dwellers.

“The employment-to-population ratio was 75.6 per cent in Q3 with a decrease of 1.5 per cent compared to a ratio of Q2. The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment as a share of the labour force population increased to 17.3 per cent in Q3 from 15.5 per cent in Q2.”

This further highlights a substantial number of people who could potentially be trained in new technologies such as 3D printing. However, the educational system in Nigeria has been slow to adapt to new technological trends, with only a few institutions offering relevant programs in advanced manufacturing and digital construction technologies.

The Chief Executive Officer of Fame Oyster & Co., Olufemi Oyedele, said the country lacks the know-how.
He said, “Technology development is in three stages. We are still using traditional methods of construction (low stage). We have not passed through the intermediate stage and we want to go to the advanced stage, but it will not work.

“There will be a compromise of quality and disasters thereafter. It is only in Nigeria that you see different kinds of blocks being sold, very poor quality, that is why we have buildings collapse every week.”

Addressing this challenge, Adedoyin stated that it required a comprehensive approach, adding that introducing specialised courses in universities and technical colleges to train students in 3D printing technology was essential.

He added, “Additionally, collaborating with international 3D printing companies to establish training centers and certification programs in Nigeria can help build a skilled workforce. Government policies that encourage the training and retention of skilled professionals in the country will also be crucial in overcoming this barrier.

“Creating incentives for experts to stay in Nigeria and contribute to the local industry can help build a sustainable and skilled workforce for the future.”

Oyedele predicted that by 2030, the majority of houses would be constructed using 3D printing technology due to its speed, lower costs, enhanced aesthetics, durability, and sustainability.

He said, “Through pyrolysis, advanced construction industries are already thinking of recovering the cement clinker (limestone and clay which are fused after being strongly heated).
“Sand, gravel, and cement are separated and the cured cement is heated under pyrolysis (in the absence of oxygen) to harvest the cement clinker for reuse in the manufacture of cement. We have too much construction waste in Nigeria because of a lack of concerted effort to evolve a sustainable construction culture.”

Way forward

The Principal partner at OddSpace Consult, Ayomide George, said the 3D printing technology has demonstrated significant advantages in terms of precision which is a crucial factor in construction and ease of building, particularly for large-scale projects.

He said, “3D printing technology offers a superior alternative to traditional manual labor by enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

“However, there is a notable skills gap; many construction workers are not technologically adept, necessitating the employment of highly skilled experts to operate these machines.”

George said collaboration was essential between the Federal Government and the private sector to bridge this technology deficit in the country.

He advised, “To address these challenges, governmental and private sector interventions are essential. For instance, initiatives by companies such as Lafarge are commendable. If a company, say, Company X, is to import 100 Nidus3D machines, partner with property development firms to train their staff on operating these machines, and then lease them out for extended periods, it will create a sustainable business model. This approach would streamline the construction process, making it faster, more accurate, and cost-effective for large projects, benefiting all stakeholders.
“Furthermore, the government, specifically the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, could play a pivotal role by importing these machines to construct low-cost housing in densely populated areas. This would expedite the building process and reduce errors and costs, thereby addressing homelessness more effectively.

“In conclusion, embracing advanced technology in the construction industry is imperative for Nigeria and Africa at large. By adopting these innovations, we can achieve higher quality, aesthetically pleasing buildings at an accelerated rate, ultimately driving progress and development in the region.”

The Principal Architect, CN Architects Ltd, Obinna Nwosu, said the federal and state governments could form public-private partnerships that would help bring down the cost of the initial installation of 3D printing for Buildings.

Nwosu advocated for the reduction or elimination of custom levies on 3D printers, in addition to promoting the sharing of technology among professionals and entities within the built environment industry, to further foster growth and innovation.

He said, “Pilot projects can then be introduced into the Nigerian construction sector as well as demonstration sites for learning and training people. This will invariably help affordable housing. The housing deficit in the country is at 28 million units, and 3D Printing will address this.

“Over time, the initial investment will drastically reduce the cost of construction, while speeding up the timeline. Also, it will easily be used for customisation, flexibility, and sustainability while cutting down on waste.

“The use of 3D printing technology in construction will not only result in more durable and structurally sound buildings but also lead to significant job creation and skill development opportunities in both the construction and technology sectors.”
According to the architect, by prioritising sustainability through the use of eco-friendly materials, techniques, and methods, and minimising carbon footprint, we can align with global sustainability goals, making us more attractive to international funding and support, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

“Once the initial investment in high-cost equipment is made and the technology is successfully integrated and adapted locally, scalability will no longer be a limitation.

In essence, while there may be an initial financial hurdle to overcome, the long-term advantages and benefits of adopting this technology far outweigh the costs, making it a worthwhile investment in the long run, “he concluded.

The Chief Executive Officer of Jofame Integrated Limited, a real estate firm, Gideon Mfonabasi, said if the government is dedicated to providing affordable housing, affordable housing must be prioritised social housing.

He posited, “To achieve this, the government must explore ways to reduce construction costs. 3D printing technology offers a solution, so the government should embrace it, invest in it, and lead the charge. This will enable the widespread adoption of 3D printing in affordable housing projects across all regions of the country.

“We urge the government to take the lead in driving this technology, rather than relying solely on the private sector. By doing so, we can make significant strides in addressing the country’s housing deficit and set a benchmark for affordable and social housing.”