Tinubu Backs Stronger National Quality Infrastructure To Boost Trade

RPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) to enhance trade, economic diversification, and global competitiveness. He urged the organised private sector to insist on high-quality products and services from their public sector counterparts, stressing that quality assurance is key to seamless international trade and industrial growth.

Speaking in Lagos through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, at a workshop on Sustainable Provision of Metrology Services in Nigeria, Tinubu emphasised that a well-structured quality infrastructure would position Nigeria for greater trade opportunities, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The workshop, organised under the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP) and supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), focused on improving Nigeria’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) to expand non-oil exports, boost foreign exchange earnings, and strengthen local industries.

Represented by Dr. Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, Tinubu stated that an efficient and sustainable quality system, backed by the Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP), would strengthen the Naira, improve capacity utilisation, create jobs, and enhance economic growth. He called on all stakeholders to actively implement the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, noting that Nigeria was recently recognised as Africa’s Digital Trade Champion at the 38th African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa.

The executive chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), Osita Aboloma, reiterated the Council’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of locally-made goods and services. He noted that the NNQP’s effective implementation would reduce export rejections and expand Nigeria’s share of the global market.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Simeon Umukoro of the UK Department for Business & Trade (FCDO) reaffirmed Britain’s support for Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts through trade partnerships. He emphasised the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership MoU, stating that the SPP, implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in collaboration with the NQC, aims to strengthen standardisation, accreditation, and conformity assessment, eliminate technical trade barriers, and improve regulatory compliance.

“The UK and Nigeria remain strategic partners in trade and investment,” Umukoro said. “By improving Nigeria’s National Quality Infrastructure, we are unlocking new opportunities to drive innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth for both nations.”