SON To Launch Revised Standardisation Strategy For Trade, Consumer Protection

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is set to unveil a revised Nigerian National Standardisation Strategy (NNSS) aimed at advancing the development of standards for emerging goods and services, enhancing consumer protection, and promoting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

SON’s director of standards development, Engr. Ahmed Bukar, announced the upcoming launch during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for the Commerce and Industry Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Abuja.

Bukar described the revised strategy as a four-year blueprint designed to support local producers and ensure Nigerian products meet international standards.

“The NNSS outlines the standards we plan to develop over the next four years to meet the aspirations of Nigerians,” Bukar said. He emphasised that establishing robust standards is crucial for consumer protection and will allow Nigerian goods to compete more effectively in the global marketplace. “Standards are the foundation of any trade facilitation effort,” he added.

To support these efforts, Bukar revealed that SON has established 191 technical committees composed of experts from various fields to develop and review standards, ensuring they meet both local and international requirements.

Meanwhile, the director-general of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke,

represented by SON’s director of public relations, Mrs Foluso Bolaji, highlighted the organisation’s recent accomplishments, including its second-place ranking in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) 2024 Half Year Transparency and Efficiency Compliance Report. The report evaluated 20 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on their transparency in service delivery, with SON scoring an impressive 78.2 per cent.

Dr. Okeke credited this achievement to the organisation’s commitment to enhancing service delivery through digitisation and strengthened regulatory frameworks.