Yemisi Izuora
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has issued a stern warning against infractions in existing regulations, guideline and laws especially as the Country implements the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative.
In his welcome address At the capacity buildings for the members of The Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, July 22, the Director General (DG) of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said “As Nigeria strives to diversify its economy and position itself competitively within the African market and beyond, standards have become the currency of global relevance.
Okeke, said they are not just tools for regulation; they are instruments of growth, innovation, consumer safety, and trade.
According to him, The benefits of standards and standardization are immense. Standards ensure that goods and services meet minimum safety and quality benchmarks, protecting Nigerians from harm. Compliance with standards opens up regional and international markets for Nigerian products, especially under the AfCFTA framework. Standards drive process efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve the quality of outputs. They promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices in production and service delivery. Moreover, adherence to standards fosters innovation and encourages the adoption of global best practices.
The DG, identified the media as worthy partner which have a critical role to play in projecting the Nigeria First Policy, which prioritizes the patronage of locally made, certified products; sensitizing local manufacturers, MSMEs, and the general public on the importance of compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards; promoting the benefits and visibility of SON’s key programmes like MANCAP (Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme) and Product Certification Schemes; and enlightening citizens and industries on how standardization helps Nigeria harness the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In furtherance of its mandate, Okeke, said the Agency offers a wide range of services that are integral to the quality assurance landscape of the country.
“We operate internationally accredited laboratories across various locations, offering high-quality testing services for food, chemicals, electricals, building materials, and other products. These laboratories support evidence-based enforcement and product validation.
“Through our Management Systems Certification (MSC) programme, we provide third-party certification services to public and private sector organizations in line with ISO standards, covering areas such as Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001), Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), Food Safety (ISO 22000), and more. Our Calibration Services support accuracy in measurements by calibrating equipment used in laboratories and industries, ensuring precision and reliability in processes.
“We also provide comprehensive training and capacity development programmes through the SON Training Services arm, where manufacturers, service providers, regulatory bodies, and individuals are trained on standards development, quality management, metrology, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, our Product Identification initiatives including the Product Authentication Mark (PAM) and the implementation of traceability solutions are helping consumers to verify the authenticity of products, combat fake and substandard goods, and build confidence in certified Nigerian products. These services are open, accessible, and aligned with global best practices to support industrial growth and consumer protection.”
He added that as the national standards body, the SON has the strategic mandate to promote standardization and quality assurance in all sectors of the economy.
However, this mandate can only be fully realized with media support as information gatekeepers, adding, “We urge you to disseminate accurate, engaging, and impactful reports about SON’s activities, mandates, and successes; give visibility to our ongoing efforts in monitoring, enforcement, and compliance across industries; highlight the importance of certification schemes like MANCAP, Product Registration, ISO Management Systems Certifications, and the Product Authentication Mark (PAM); and create feature stories, human-interest reports, and industry analyses that spotlight manufacturers who are doing things right and those who are lagging behind. By doing so, you will be helping to build a national culture of quality, a more informed citizenry, and a business climate that supports productivity and fair competition.”
He informed participants that the workshop is not just a training but a reaffirmation of the Agency’s shared mission. “At SON, we see the media not just as observers but as co-drivers of national quality infrastructure. We are eager to strengthen our collaboration with CICAN and ensure that you are equipped with the tools and access needed to cover standardization more effectively. Let this be the beginning of deeper engagement, regular interaction, and joint advocacy towards achieving a safer, more prosperous, and quality-driven Nigeria.”