The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the public and private sectors to enhance trade through the implementation of effective quality standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Standards Day celebration held in Lagos, the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, emphasized that the event’s theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World — Spotlight on Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals),” underscores the indispensable role of partnerships in achieving sustainable development and economic progress.
According to Dr. Okeke, the theme is both timely and compelling, as it reinforces that no single institution or nation can independently achieve sustainable development. He noted that collaboration, cooperation, and partnership remain the true drivers of progress — with standards serving as the common language that enables these partnerships to thrive.
“For Nigeria, this theme mirrors our developmental realities. Our national goals — from food security to industrialization, energy transition to trade expansion — require deep cooperation between the government, private sector, academia, and civil society,” Okeke stated.
He further explained that Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) highlights the vital importance of partnerships, which he described as the “backbone” for achieving the other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Okeke stressed that a strong national quality infrastructure is fundamental to Nigeria’s development journey, especially in ensuring that imported and exported products meet both local and international standards. He added that SON cannot achieve conformity assessments in isolation and therefore needs global partnerships and technical collaborations with internationally accredited organizations.
“SON cannot be found everywhere in the world. We rely on accredited and recognized international organizations to test and certify our products. This partnership ensures that imported products meet the required standards and that Nigerian exports gain global acceptance,” he said.
On efforts to expand Nigeria’s export capabilities, the SON boss highlighted the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Export Certification Programme (SONEXCAP) — a certification framework designed to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian-made goods.
“Nigeria cannot continue to depend solely on imports. What truly sustains any nation is its ability to export. Through SONEXCAP, we certify products leaving the country to ensure they meet international standards. This certification fosters mutual recognition among African nations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Okeke noted.
He further revealed that products certified under SONEXCAP are already being accepted across African countries due to existing mutual recognition agreements — a development he described as pivotal for Nigeria’s trade expansion and regional integration.
Dr. Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s industrialization agenda through standardization, capacity building, and active engagement with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. He called on manufacturers, exporters, and development partners to work closely with the organization in aligning with international best practices that would position Nigeria as a competitive player in global trade.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged stronger collaboration among stakeholders to promote trade, boost exports, and achieve sustainable development goals through the adoption of quality standards and international partnerships.
@2025 The Ameh News: All Rights Reserved
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
