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SON Marks World Standards Day 2024, Highlights Achievements, Supports Manufacturers
By Prince Benson Davies
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has joined the global community in celebrating World Standards Day and restated its commitment to standardization, quality assurance and conformity assessment in Nigeria.
Okeke said the theme of this year’s celebration: Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure in the Age of AI, remains apt in the light of recent developments in meeting required standards in the business world.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said this year’s theme was apt and also in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Home agenda to boost economic growth.
Okeke said that standardization was the bedrock of any nation‘s economic development, Standardization is the bedrock of any nation’s economic development, stressing that compliance and adherence to standards are, therefore, imperative.
He highlighted the role of collaboration and standardization in driving economic transformation and sustainable development, adding: “We have made significant strides in promoting standardization and quality assurance, supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development.”
To celebrate World Standards Day, he said SON has planned several activities with a Roadshow ceremony to mark the beginning of the celebrations He explained that roadshows will also take place in the geopolitical zones within the week.
Others include outreach programs to engage with stakeholders and promote standardization, virtual training for MSMEs, as well as support for micro, small, and medium enterprises to enhance their manufacturing and production processes.
Okeke emphasized that these activities aim to support both large and small firms in navigating international best practices in manufacturing. He also highlighted the importance of mentoring in creating access to Nigerian products in the export market.
He restated that SON has adopted 88 international standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) products to ensure quality service delivery in the transport sector. The agency has also developed the Natural Gas Vehicles Monitoring System (NGVMS) to ensure consumers receive value for their money.
On the adoption and release of hundreds of standards for product development, SON has awarded about 500 products the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate.
It also trained over 1,000 stakeholders on standards and quality assurance, established 15 National Technical Committees to develop and review Nigerian standards in ensuring quality service process and production for goods and services
Okeke commended SON’s management, staff, and stakeholders for their efforts, insisting that the SON remains committed to improving life through standardization, fostering consumer confidence and enhancing the global competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products.
As the national standards body, SON will continue to play its role in facilitating business and promoting standardization, quality assurance, and conformity assessment. The over 500 participants on the roadshow, who created awareness of standards, were drawn from the private sector, NGO, government ministries and agencies.