More than 220 products manufactured by 131 Nigerian companies have received certification to meet adopted African Standards, according to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, disclosed this in a statement issued to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Okeke said Nigeria was recently presented with the ARSO Quality Mark Award by the African Organisation for Standardisation, describing the recognition as evidence of increasing compliance by Nigerian manufacturers with continental quality requirements.
He explained that meeting these standards would help Nigerian products compete more effectively across African markets, particularly as businesses seek to take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, standards compliance remains an important requirement for accessing wider markets, while stronger quality control can improve the acceptance of Nigerian-made goods across the continent.
The SON chief said the organisation had developed 62 new Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) over the past three years and adopted relevant Codex standards for agricultural products, including root and tuber flours.
He said the measures were aimed at promoting value addition, improving product quality and preparing Nigerian producers for export markets.
Okeke also said stronger enforcement of industrial standards was helping businesses and consumers cope with the effects of ongoing economic reforms, in line with the 2026 Independence Day theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”
He stressed the importance of combining increased production with proper standardisation, warning that substandard goods could undermine economic gains, endanger consumers and damage Nigeria’s reputation in international markets.
To support small and medium-sized businesses, SON has expanded its quality infrastructure with State Office and Laboratory Complexes in Minna and Sokoto. The facilities are expected to improve access to testing and calibration services while reducing delays and costs for producers.
The organisation has also introduced digital systems to improve access to standards and strengthen product monitoring.
These include the Digital Standards Platform (DSP), Electronic Product Identification Scheme (e-PIS), Product Identification Scheme (PIS) and the Special Economic Zones Conformity Assessment Programme (SEZCAP).
Okeke added that SON had updated its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) logo and strengthened its inspection procedures.
The agency has also commissioned a 200kW solar power system at its laboratory complex in Ogba, Lagos, to support continuous laboratory operations.
The SON director-general called for closer cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority and security agencies to improve real-time information sharing and strengthen the fight against substandard products.
He urged manufacturers to maintain quality standards, traders to avoid dealing in counterfeit goods and consumers to support locally manufactured products.
