By Charles Okonji
As part of intensified efforts in repositioning Nigeria’s lubricants on the stage, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged the local manufacturers to embrace stricter adherence to national standards and leverage the organisation’s internationally accredited laboratories.
The call was made during a one-day Standards Organisation of Nigeria/Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) training and workshop held at the SON Laboratory Complex in Ogba, Lagos, aimed at reinforcing the vital role of quality assurance in Nigeria’s burgeoning petroleum sector.
The industry stakeholders and journalists were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at SON’s cutting-edge laboratories, highlighting Nigeria’s growing capacity for precise product testing and compliance.
The organisation’s officials emphasized that embracing robust standards is essential not only for consumer safety but also for opening doors to regional and global markets.
In his speach, the Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Talatu Ethan who represented the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, noted that the core mission is to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation through standardisation.
She stressed that standards are no longer mere regulatory hurdles, but powerful tools for innovation, growth, and trade.
“Adherence to standards is our passport to the international market,” she said, urging manufacturers to see quality as a strategic advantage.
Mrs. Ethan also highlighted that compliance with standards safeguards consumers and enhances Nigeria’s export potential, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. “When our products meet international benchmarks, it boosts confidence and trust,” she added.
She called on the media, particularly members of CICAN, to be active advocates for quality, stressing that “your words can catalyse change and deepen the conversation around product excellence.”
A focal point of the event was the presentation by Bathinyi Ahmadu, Head of the Lube Laboratory at SON, who outlined the laboratory’s expanded testing capabilities.
The laboratory now covers a comprehensive range of petroleum products, including engine oils, hydraulic fluids, transmission oils, brake fluids, and more. It also tests “white petroleum” products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), household kerosene, aviation fuel, and ethanol-blended petrol (E10).
Ahmadu explained the meticulous parameters tested, from sulphur content and specific gravity to viscosity, flash point, and colour.
He underlined the importance of the viscosity index — “the factor that determines how long your lubricant lasts,” influencing whether a product remains effective for a month or three.
For petrol, he highlighted the importance of the Research Octane Number (RON), noting that Nigeria’s premium grade PMS must have a minimum RON of 91 to meet quality standards.
The laboratory’s commitment to accuracy and international best practices was also showcased, with Ahmadu confirming that many tests are currently under accreditation in line with ISO 17025 standards.
Advanced equipment, including automated viscometers, X-ray fluorescence analysers for sulphur detection, and elemental analyzers for phosphorus and lead, exemplify Nigeria’s investment in quality infrastructure.
In a direct appeal to industry players, Ahmadu encouraged manufacturers to utilise these facilities for conformity assessment, aiming to cultivate a culture of quality and competitiveness across Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
On the media front, CICAN Chairman Mr. Charles Okonji commended SON’s longstanding collaboration with journalists and highlighted Nigeria’s current economic challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, which make quality assurance even more critical.
“When consumers see the SON quality mark, they trust that the product is genuine,” he said, underscoring the importance of public confidence in local products.
