By Nkechi Eze
In a landmark effort to enhance quality assurance and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s chemical sector, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Kwara State Chapter, have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at reinforcing chemical standardization and safety practices in the state.
The high-level meeting, held at the SON Kwara State Office in Ilorin, brought together key stakeholders from both institutions to initiate a framework that will foster long-term cooperation on quality control, chemical education, and public awareness.
The Director General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented by Mrs. Bayero Abiola Rabiat, who welcomed the delegation and emphasized the value of the partnership in achieving Nigeria’s broader quality assurance goals. She noted that such collaborations were essential to “ensuring adherence to standards and safety, and to fostering a robust working relationship for the benefit of the nation’s quality assurance framework.”
Leading the CSN delegation, Professor Steven Oguntoye, Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter, acknowledged SON’s vital contributions to quality regulation in Nigeria and reaffirmed CSN’s commitment to advancing chemical science. He outlined the society’s core objectives, which include promoting chemical research, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring responsible chemical usage and management in both academia and industry.
SON’s Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Ayeni Feyisayo Oyebola Jude, also commended the initiative and praised CSN’s sustained efforts in upholding high professional standards. He emphasized that the partnership aligns with SON’s mandate to uphold safety and quality in every industrial and scientific process.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of key resolutions that will guide future collaboration. These include: The organization of a joint radio programme to enhance public engagement and awareness on chemical safety and standards, drafting and formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a binding framework for continued cooperation and the development of training programmes for university students, particularly those studying chemistry and related disciplines, with a focus on standardization practices and chemical quality control.
Mr. Otanwa Anthony delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of both parties, lauding the milestone as a transformative step for the chemical industry in Nigeria. He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration in building a more regulated and quality-driven sector that can support innovation, economic growth, and public health.
This collaboration marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s quest for excellence in chemical management, research, and industrial safety, driving not just quality, but the future of chemical standards forward.
