SONEXCAP: SON’s strategic drive to boost Nigeria’s export competitiveness
By Maureen Aguta
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the nation’s trade capacity and promoting the export of locally manufactured goods through its flagship certification scheme — the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Export Certification Programme (SONEXCAP).
Speaking in Lagos during the 2025 World Standards Day celebration, SON Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, described SONEXCAP as a transformative tool designed to help Nigerian products meet international quality benchmarks and penetrate global markets with confidence.
According to Okeke, the certification programme ensures that Nigerian goods are accepted across African markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
“SONEXCAP is not just a certification initiative; it is our gateway to expanding Nigeria’s export frontiers,” he said. “It builds confidence in Nigerian-made products and opens doors to regional and global markets.”
The SON boss stressed the pivotal role of standards in facilitating trade, improving competitiveness, and ensuring the global recognition of Nigerian products. He urged manufacturers and exporters to leverage the scheme to access more friendly markets, thereby stimulating wealth creation, job opportunities, and national development.
Okeke noted that this year’s World Standards Day theme — “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on Sustainable Development Goal 17” — underscores the importance of partnerships and collaboration in driving sustainable development.
“No nation can achieve its development goals in isolation,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society to achieve Nigeria’s industrial and trade objectives.
He emphasised that the country’s ambitions in food security, industrialisation, energy transition, and export expansion depend on a robust national quality infrastructure. Conformity assessment, he added, can only thrive through collaboration, partnership, and mutual trust among stakeholders.
Dr. Okeke also revealed that SON has intensified its collaboration with international partners to build capacity for product testing and certification — a step aimed at strengthening consumer confidence and protecting local industries.
Beyond facilitating exports, SONEXCAP also supports small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) by simplifying certification processes and enhancing product credibility to help them overcome barriers to market access.
“When Nigerian products carry the SON mark of quality, it tells the world we are ready,” Okeke declared. “SONEXCAP is our statement of confidence in the excellence and potential of Nigerian industry.”
In his goodwill message, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Kadiri, commended SON for its proactive leadership and partnership with manufacturers. Represented by Mr. Joseph Imoleke, Kadiri described Dr. Okeke as a leader with a listening ear who has strengthened collaboration with the manufacturing sector.
He disclosed that the organisation’s standardisation work now draws input from more than 2,000 stakeholders — including manufacturers, financial institutions, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and importers.
As Nigeria intensifies its drive toward economic diversification, stakeholders say SONEXCAP remains a critical instrument for expanding the nation’s export footprint and positioning the country as a leading player in Africa’s single market.