Photo caption: SON logo
By Charles Okonji
In a delebrate effort to making Nigeria more competitive in the on-going African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria has advised stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to avoid patronising quack calibrators.
This advise was given by the Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke at the 2025 World Metrology Day Celebration held in Lagos, with the ‘Measurements for all times, for all People’.
Okeke who gave the advice, noted that unqualified individuals and firms offering calibration services don’t meet standards, saying, don’t patronise these quacks.
According to him, “SON is collaborating with relevant authorities to identify and eliminate these unscrupulous operators. We must ensure that only accredited and reliable calibration services are available.
“Let’s work together to promote quality and standards in our industry. I invite you all to join hands with SON to fight substandard products and create a healthy nation by patronizing our calibration services. Together, we shall achieve the metrology of our dream,” he added.
The SON Boss, noted that the standards body is working to address challenges faced by small businesses in Nigeria, promoting awareness, training, and enforcing standards to improve product quality and increase competitiveness.
“As part of the Federal Government’s efforts to support manufacturers, SON has decentralised its calibration services by establishing offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja.
“This strategic move enhances easy access and proximity for businesses across the country.
“We have introduced Mobile Calibration Services, otherwise known as “Grassroots Calibration Services, which innovative approach enables remote businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to access calibration services at their doorstep, bridging the gap and fostering economic growth.
“As the apex standards body in Nigeria, SON is vested with the responsibility of formulation, issuing, and enforcement of Nigerian Industrial Standards and Metrology.
“These are powerful tools for increasing productivity, better utilization of resources, elimination of waste, protection of the environment, and removal of trade barriers.
He emphasised that in line with the Nigeria First Policy and Renewed Hope agenda, SON is making concerted efforts aimed at putting a standard metrology facility in place to serve as a bedrock to the nation’s economic development.
“All over the world, metrology is identified as a catalyst to trade and nation-building in line with this, the organisation is making concrete efforts to accredit the facility to put the nation’s pride of place and ensure traceability.
“When fully optimised, the metrology facility can save Nigeria’s capital flight. Our National Metrology Institute in Enugu is receiving greater attention in equipment supply, infrastructural development, training of officers, and accreditation of laboratories
When completed and fully developed, it will ensure accredited testing and calibration laboratories obtain traceability of measurement locally, saving hard currency paid to foreign NMIs.
“Boost the country’s export base by providing confidence and reliability in export goods. Improve citizen health and ensure a safe environment through accurate measurements.
“Strengthen other components of the National Quality Infrastructure, reduce disputation and transaction costs in industry and commerce,” he stressed.
Earlier, the representative of the Director General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Mrs. Victoria Onuoha, commended SON for its unwavering commitment to advancing metrology in Nigeria, saying that more than ever, manufacturers rely on measurements to optimise production, minimise waste, protect the environment, and meet evolving customer expectations.
Measurement enables standardisation, fosters consumer confidence, and ensures that Nigerian-made products meet both local and international specifications.
“Your efforts contribute significantly to strengthening our national quality infrastructure and supporting the growth of industry in a global integrated economy.
“As you mark this important milestone, MAN reaffirms its commitment to continued collaboration to promote a culture of precision, standardisation and continuous improvement across the manufacturing landscape,” he said.
Representative of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the Zone A Commander, Charles Obi, said every container inspected, every tariff calculated, and every regulation enforced relies on precision and reliability of measurements, noting that at the Nigeria Customs Service, it witnesses daily the practical implications of accurate measurements.
“Our scanners must precisely detect contraband hidden within legitimate cargo.
Our weighing systems must accurately determine the weight of goods for the correct payment of duty.
Our laboratories must precisely identify restricted substances. Without reliable measurements, our revenue collection, trade facilitation, and national security mandates will be compromised, ” he said.
He said the economic impact of measurement standards cannot be overemphasized, stressing that they enable fair trade by ensuring that what is declared is what is delivered.
“They protect consumers by verifying that they facilitate international commerce by providing a common language for specification and requirements.
“In essence, measurement standards are the invisible infrastructures upon which visible trade flows. As Nigeria advances into the industrialization agenda, metrology shows in production processes. Quality control requires accurate measurement systems,” he added.
