SON Urges Local Manufacturers To Prioritise Quality, Standards
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has urged local manufacturers to prioritise the production of standardised goods to ensure quality, consumer trust, and international competitiveness.
The call was made by the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, during the product listing ceremony of Green Conversion and Assembly Limited (G-CAL) in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Okeke, represented by Kwara State Coordinator Alhaji Oyepo AbdulRazaq, emphasised that certified products guarantee value for money and can compete on a global scale.
“Nigerian manufacturers should keep striving to meet the minimum required standards. Producing quality and standardised products encourages Nigerians to patronise and take pride in Made-in-Nigeria goods, the director general urged
Okeke revealed that G-CAL is the first of its kind in Kwara State and presented the company with a product listing certificate, urging compliance with the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to maintain certification.
He also explained that product identification schemes, such as barcodes or numbering, help track products, ensure authenticity, and facilitate recalls when necessary.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Chief Technical Officer of SON, Mrs. Ibukunolu Alasan, said: “There is still more work to be done. The products need to be certified with MANCAP to be properly identified in town. Quality has beginnings, but without ends.”
She noted that four products would be certified, each with a unique number valid for one year and subject to renewal.
The Manager of Kiowope Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Bello Kamaldeen, said the company’s products are gaining recognition and have started being exported to other states.
“We have delivered about 10 buses to the University of Lagos, and many commercial motorists are converting their petrol-powered tricycles to electric ones,” he said. Kamaldeen commended SON for its supervision and pledged to maintain compliance with standards.
Among the products listed and certified were Kiowope, Buffalo, Buffalo X, and ASABI, covering electrical and mechanical categories.
