The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, has called on stakeholders to adopt product standardisation as a means of attracting foreign investment and stimulating national economic growth.
Dr Okeke made this appeal during a Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Forum for the Maritime Sector and Manufacturers held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He emphasised that standardisation promotes consistency, reduces production waste, encourages innovation among manufacturers, and facilitates seamless inspection and efficient clearance processes in maritime operations.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Talatu Ethan, the SON boss urged manufacturers to uphold quality standards in their products to safeguard consumers from substandard and counterfeit goods.
Speaking on the theme “Aligning Business Practices with Nigerian Trade Policies for Sustainable Growth,” Dr Okeke called on stakeholders to support SON in its efforts to eliminate substandard products from Nigerian markets.
He explained that the forum was designed to engage key players in the maritime and manufacturing sectors such as dealers, suppliers, marketers, and distributors on the need for aligning business operations with national standards.
He further noted that the event aimed to raise awareness on the significance of standardisation and compliance with national benchmarks.
Dr Okeke stressed the importance of aligning business practices with national trade policies to achieve sustainable growth and economic development, adding, “SON stands for ‘Made to Last’, hence the need to build and align with standards.”
He described standardisation as a vital link between policy and practice, serving as a catalyst for efficient trade, improved market access, consumer protection, and long-term business sustainability.
According to him, SON’s mandate in developing and implementing national standards supports the private sector in enhancing product quality and safety.
He also encouraged stakeholders to report cases of substandard products via SON’s toll-free lines 08099937380 and 07056990099, and urged participants to share feedback on the challenges and expectations of their respective industries.
In his contribution, Dr Samuel Ayuba, Head of the National Metrology Institute at SON, urged the Federal Government to install weighbridges across Nigerian roads to prevent damage caused by overloaded vehicles.
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Dr Ayuba noted that roads are engineered to carry specific loads, and exceeding those limits often results in premature deterioration.
“Overloaded trucks significantly contribute to road damage in Nigeria, frequently carrying loads well beyond the roads’ intended capacity,” he said. “This issue is compounded by the absence of weighbridges to monitor and regulate truck loads.”
He cited Germany as a model, where weighbridge systems are used effectively to ensure road protection from overloading.
Similarly, Chief Ndukwe Toby, Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), commended SON for its continued collaboration in addressing challenges affecting the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Chief Toby underscored the importance of ongoing workshops and engagement sessions with SON, which he said provide platforms for ANLCA to relay its concerns directly to SON representatives.
He recalled an instance where SON had insisted that importers must register their manufacturers with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to obtain import permits. ANLCA, he explained, challenged this requirement, arguing that it was unjust to small-scale producers who were not yet MAN members but capable of producing locally.
“Through continuous dialogue, ANLCA and SON were able to resolve the issue, leading to a policy revision that allows the importation of raw materials even by those not registered with MAN,” he said.
Toby noted that this resolution has significantly improved the ease of doing business for both importers and exporters.
He added that the relationship between ANLCA and SON has grown stronger over time, stressing the importance of sustained dialogue to address emerging issues and foster a more business-friendly environment.
“The partnership between ANLCA and SON is a welcome development in boosting trade and investment in Nigeria,” he concluded.
