Lagos governor hails 3D manufacturing facility as Nigeria's industrial innovation leap

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has hailed the opening of the Arridex Omnifactory as a pivotal moment for Nigeria's industrial future. Describing the facility as a "bold step towards industrial innovation, advanced manufacturing, and economic transformation," Sanwo-Olu officially commissioned West Africa's first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing center in Victoria Island, Lagos.

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This factory represents bold steps towards industrial innovation, advanced manufacturing, and economic transformation, not only in Lagos State, but in our country.

The Arridex Omnifactory is poised to serve a diverse range of critical sectors, including oil and gas, maritime, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, and construction. Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the factory's significance, stating it "strengthens industry and industrial capabilities" and "contributes meaningfully to the prosperity of Lagos, Nigeria." He highlighted the facility's role in showcasing what can be achieved when "vision, innovation, and indigenous expertise all come together."

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This factory strengthens industry and industrial capabilities. It contributes meaningfully to the prosperity of Lagos, Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu also addressed Nigeria's long-standing dependence on external sources for components and spare parts, a reliance that has often led to vulnerability from unpredictable supply chain disruptions. The new Arridex facility aims to mitigate this by fostering local production capabilities.

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By bringing together cutting-edge technologies from the production of industrial components and spare parts, this facility demonstrates what is possible when vision, innovation, and indigenous expertise all come together.

Kayode Adeleke, CEO of Arridex Group (formerly RussellSmith Group), expressed his vision for the Omnifactory. "Africa does not only consume what the world makes. Africa can make it to global standard, and supply the world," Adeleke declared. He believes the facility will significantly reduce Africa's dependence on fragile global supply chains, promoting local production, accelerating innovation, and enhancing industrial self-sufficiency across the continent.

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Africa does not only consume what the world makes. Africa can make it to global standard, and supply the world.