SON deploying digital tools to enhance local production benchmarks, boost trade: Dr. Okeke, Director-General

*Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, FCA, ALTI, Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, announces the regulatory agency has introduced various standards infrastructure, including digital applications and certifications, to ensure products Made-in-Nigeria adhere to established quality benchmarks to enhance trade in line with international best practices

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a move to ensure that Made-in Nigeria products adhere to established quality benchmarks in the economy, (SON), has announced the deployment of advanced digital tools to improve the standard conformity of locally manufactured products.

ConsumerConnect learnt Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of SON, stated this while speaking at a training session for members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), Friday, August 30, 2024, in Abuja, FCT.

Dr. Okeke revealed SON had introduced various standards infrastructure, including digital applications and certifications, to ensure products in Nigeria adhere to established quality benchmarks.

Represented at the training session by Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, Director of Public Relations at SON, the Director-General also stressed that the initiatives are designed to support local production and enhance trade in line with international best practices.

He further highlighted the significant progress the standardisation regulatory agency has made in these areas, attributing the success to the agency’s commitment to digitalisation of operations.

Dr. Okeke equally referenced SON’s recent commendation by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in its 2024 Half-Year Transparency and Efficiency Compliance Report.

On SON’s high ranking in service delivery on EoDB in Nigeria

ConsumerConnect reports PEBEC, in this year’s Half-Year report, had ranked the SON second among 20 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a score of 78.2 percent for transparency in service delivery in respect of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in Nigeria.

Okeke stated: “That did not come easy as the Organisation has provided the enabling tools to upgrade our services to an enviable spot through digitalisation.

“The staff are also part of the success story as they worked tirelessly all through challenges to ensure the country is does not become a dumping ground for substandard products as well as supporting local productions.”

The SON Chief restated the Organisation’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate as outlined in the SON Act, to contribute positively to Nigeria’s economic development.

Okeke asserted: “We are dedicated to improving communication with stakeholders at all levels to gain greater support for our programmes, which are focused on protecting consumer welfare and fostering economic growth.”

He, therefore, encouraged the participants to take the training opportunity to deepen their understanding of the SON Act, 2015, and to help the public better appreciate the role of SON in the broader regulatory framework.

The Organisation noted the training session as well aimed to enhance industry correspondents’ understanding of its regulatory activities while equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to report accurately on the SON’s initiatives in the country.