SON seeks stronger ties with Trade Ministry to enhance product standards, boost export competitiveness
Maureen Aguta
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified its drive to raise product quality and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian goods with a strategic visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in Abuja.
SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, led the delegation alongside the Chairman of the SON Standards Council, Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, to brief the Ministry on the agency’s reforms and outline new strategies for strengthening standardisation across the industrial sector.
Okeke highlighted what he described as the agency’s “significant institutional progress” over the past two years, noting that SON has scaled up reforms to improve product quality, bolster market surveillance and support manufacturers aiming for global competitiveness.
“We have worked diligently to reposition SON as a world-class standards body,” he said.
“Our focus is on strengthening conformity assessment, tightening market surveillance and supporting local manufacturers so that Nigerian products can compete globally. Collaboration with the Ministry is critical to achieving these objectives.”
Inuwa, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to improved regulatory efficiency, stressed that standardisation remains central to industrial development and aligns with the Ministry’s ambition to build an export-ready economy.
Receiving the delegation, Oduwole commended SON for the reforms undertaken and pledged the Ministry’s continued cooperation, describing standardisation as the backbone of trade and a key driver of Nigeria’s efforts to deepen its presence in global markets.
“Standardisation is the backbone of trade,” she said. “We are encouraged by SON’s recent initiatives and will continue to work closely with the agency to ensure Nigerian products are safe, competitive and globally acceptable.”
The visit is part of SON’s broader campaign to strengthen partnerships across government and industry as it works to entrench a national culture of quality and elevate Nigeria’s standing in international commerce.