CollaborateTo Promote Made-in-Nigeria Goods Competitiveness – SON

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has emphasised the need for stakeholders’ support to promote and ensure the quality of Made-in-Nigeria products.

The organisation stated this at a one-day capacity-building workshop for media stakeholders held yesterday in Lagos.

The director-general of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, highlighted the media’s critical role in advancing the Nigeria First Policy, urged journalists to help promote the patronage of locally made certified products and sensitise the public and manufacturers on the benefits of compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards.

Okeke noted that, “as Nigeria strives to diversify its economy and position itself competitively within the African market and beyond, standards have become the currency of global relevance.” He explained that “they are not just tools for regulation; they are instruments of growth, innovation, consumer safety, and trade.”

Okeke also called attention to SON’s key initiatives such as MANCAP (Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme), product certification schemes, and their role in helping Nigeria leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Head of the Electrical Laboratory at SON, Engr. Lawal Ismaila, advised Nigerians to prioritise the use of locally made products, especially electrical components like cables, describing them as among the best in the world. He warned against patronizing adulterated or substandard products and urged consumers to buy from genuine sources.

Many Nigerian-made cables meet international standards. What we need is to support local manufacturers and avoid substandard imports that endanger lives, he added. He further emphasised that buildings should be equipped with thunder arresters and properly grounded to prevent electrical hazards, saying, ‘houses should be connected to the earth for protection.’