The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has reiterated the agency’s commitment to promoting the growth of local manufacturing companies as a key driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
Dr. Okeke made this known in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, while declaring open a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum for Manufacturers, MSMEs, Importers, and Exporters. The event, themed “Standards – The Pillar for Innovation, Safety and Sustainable Development,” brought together key players across various sectors.
Represented by the SON Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Talatu Ethan, Okeke emphasized that the protection of local manufacturers is a major priority under the “Nigeria First Policy” of the current administration.
“This is not just a directive from above. It is a challenge to every Nigerian to look inward, support homegrown solutions, and raise the quality of local production,” he said.
“At SON, we are scaling up our certification, training, and monitoring systems to ensure Nigerian-made products gain the credibility they deserve. Promoting the Nigeria First Policy is not about excluding others, it’s about preparing ourselves to compete, not just within our borders but across West Africa and beyond.”
Dr. Okeke encouraged stakeholders to view compliance with standards not as a regulatory burden, but as a catalyst for competitiveness and long-term relevance. “Today’s workshop is not only for knowledge sharing; it is a platform for reorientation. Standards are business enablers. Compliance is an investment in credibility,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the SON Regional Director for North Central, Dr. Marline Wasiri, highlighted the importance of product quality in enhancing global competitiveness. “Our mandate at SON is not just to regulate but also to support, guide, and empower businesses particularly SMEs and local manufacturers to grow and compete both locally and internationally,” she said.
The forum underscored SON’s continuing efforts to build a robust quality infrastructure to drive innovation, ensure safety, and achieve sustainable development in Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
