By Nkechi Eze
Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwukunonso Okeke, a native of Imo State is the current Director General/Chief Executive of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. He was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 13, 2023.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke was handed over the baton of leadership by the immediate past Director General of the Organisation, Mallam Farouk Salim, who served the Commission between 2020 and 2023.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka. Additionally, he has a Master of Science in Accounting and a Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. He also possesses a Master of Business Administration from a reputable institution and is also a distinguished fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Until his latest appointment by the President, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke was the Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service, where he successfully led a team that significantly increased internally generated revenue.
It would be recalled that when Dr. Okeke assumed office, he disclosed that under his watch, the campaign against products counterfeiting and sub- standardisation would witness renewed commitment, adding that inferior products kill the economy and endanger lives and property.
He declared; “We are renewing our commitment to sanitise the country of fake and injurious products. They cannot be allowed to circulate. We cannot allow economic saboteurs and merchants of death to have their way; we are sending warning to those who bring or produce sub-standard products to desist from doing so any longer; before the long arm of the Law catches up with them. We are embarking on increased seizures, testing and public destruction of bad products, arrests and prosecution of offenders.”
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke has indeed lived up to his words, demonstrating a renewed commitment to combating products counterfeiting and sub-standardization with the Introduction of the Product Authentication Mark (PAM): SON, under Dr. Okeke’s leadership, has introduced the PAM, a hologram sticker with security features that will be affixed to certified products. This innovation aims to reduce substandard products in the country.
Renewed Campaign Against Substandard Products: Dr. Okeke has emphasized the need to “sanitise the country of fake and injurious products.” He has warned economic saboteurs and merchants of death to desist from producing or importing substandard products or face prosecution and public destruction of such products.
Increased Focus on MSMEs Development: Dr. Okeke has prioritized the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), recognizing their critical role in Nigeria’s economic development. This focus is expected to lead to increased standardization and quality assurance in local products.
Enhanced Enforcement and Compliance: SON, under Dr. Okeke’s leadership, has pledged to increase seizures, testing, and public destruction of bad products, as well as arrests and prosecution of offenders. This renewed commitment to enforcement aims to deter counterfeiting and sub-standardization.
Dr. Okeke in a bid to boost Quality Assurance with Enhanced Laboratory facilities has strengthened its quality assurance capabilities with significant upgrades to its laboratory facilities. Under his leadership, SON is working tirelessly to ensure its test laboratories across the country, including Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, and others, are fully operational and receive high patronage from public and private sector operators.
In addition to enhancing existing facilities, Dr. Okeke is driving the development of regional laboratories across Nigeria’s geo-political zones. This strategic initiative aims to expand SON’s services to operators in rural and suburban areas, promoting greater access to quality assurance and standardization services nationwide. By investing in cutting-edge laboratory facilities and expanding its regional presence, SON under the leadership of Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke is reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the quality and safety of Nigerian products. This proactive approach will not only boost consumer confidence but also enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses in the global market.
Recently, as part of an experience-sharing visit, Dr. Okeke hosted a delegation from Ethiopia at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Ogba, Lagos office, for the Laboratory Complex, with focus on food fortification. Part of the discussions includes the importance of collaboration in improving public health, SON’s achievements in large-scale food fortification (LSFF), including Nigeria’s journey starting in the early 1990s with salt iodization and expanding to fortify staple foods like sugar, wheat flour and vegetable oil with essential nutrients like iron, vitamin A and zinc.
Enhancing Vehicle Safety and Quality in Nigeria:Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has launched a ground breaking initiative to revolutionize vehicle safety and quality in Nigeria. In partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the SON-NADDC Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (SON-NADDCVehCAP) aims to tackle the long-standing issue of substandard vehicles in the country. Key Highlights of the Initiative includes;
Rigorous Safety and Quality Inspections: All imported vehicles, whether new or used, will undergo thorough safety and quality inspections to ensure they meet international standards.
Two Key Committees: Under Dr. Okeke’s leadership, two committees have been established to drive the program’s success and ensure its effective implementation.
Independent Service Provider: Excellence in Automotive Assessment Company Limited (EAA) has been appointed as the independent service provider to facilitate the inspection process.
Commencement: The program commences in April 2025, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance vehicle safety and quality.
This collaborative effort is expected to significantly boost vehicle safety and quality in Nigeria, protecting citizens and promoting a more sustainable automotive industry.
Dr. Okeke’s leadership and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in driving this initiative forward, and his achievements will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s automotive sector.
As part of demonstrating its commitment to collaboration, knowledge-sharing, showcasing its capabilities and expertise, potentially leading to new partnerships or initiatives, the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s (NCC) paid a visit to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for a technical study tour. Specifically, the NCC aimed to: Replicate SON’s success in developing a stakeholder databaseand also replicate SON’s success in developing a payment portal. The goal was to learn from SON’s experiences and build NCC’s capacity in these areas.
Demonstrating his commitment to promoting national pride, positivity and showcasing Nigeria’s potential for growth and development, the SON, led by Dr. Okeke was involved in an initiative led by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) positioned at redefining the phrase “Nigeria has happened to you.” Traditionally used to express hardship and frustration, the NOA’s “Nigeria has happened to me” is a project seeks to shift this narrative, transforming it into a symbol of strength, innovation and national pride. This will focus on sharing success stories from government programs, while celebrating Nigeria’s growing entrepreneurial and tech sectors, rich cultural heritage and the ingenuity of its people.
Dr. Okeke in his efforts to fortify the SON’s commitment to product quality and consumer safety recently rebranded the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) logo. The new logo was recently unveiled at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) House in Lagos.
Recall that during his first day in office speech, Among Dr. Okeke’s action- plan is also give improved attention to staff welfare and development. He pledged to improve staff welfare and working condition while regular trainings will also be conducted to build staff capacities and competences for improved performance and productivity.
Dr. Okeke keeping to his words to continuous improvement, and employee development, recently led the second phase of the SON Performance Management System (PMS) training program in the southwest region. The training which was held over three days at the SON Laboratory Complex had its major goal of equipping key personnel with the skills to implement a healthy PMS framework. Dr. Okeke believes that PMS is not just an administrative task but a strategic tool for improving public service delivery and ensuring SON operates efficiently.
In a significant move to promote knowledge exchange, research, and development, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), led by Dr. IfeanyiOkeke, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the prestigious University of Ilorin.
This strategic partnership, formalized at the SON Laboratory Complex in Ogba, Lagos, aims to strengthen collaborative efforts in standardization and quality control across various industries, leveraging the University’s renowned academic excellence and research innovation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), has also made significant strides in promoting food safety, innovation, and staff welfare. Recently, SON participated in the 2025 meeting of the National Codex Committee’s Technical Committee on Food Additives (NCC-TCFA), hosted by the Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE). This meeting focused on discussing Nigeria’s position for the upcoming 55th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA55) in Seoul, South Korea. Fostering Collaboration and Innovation Dr. Okeke also facilitated a courtesy visit from the Patents and Design Registry, which aimed to discuss matters on Intellectual Property Rights and Promotion. This engagement is expected to strengthen innovation and standardization, driving economic growth and empowerment for the inventing community. Prioritizing Staff Welfare Furthermore, Dr. Okeke acknowledged the recent payment of the 10% Condition of Service (CoS) and reassured staff that the Management remains committed to their welfare. He expressed appreciation for the staff’s dedication and hard work, recognizing their efforts as the driving force behind SON’s success.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke’s numerous accomplishments continue to inspire and chart a promising future for Nigeria, aligning seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s vision for a home grown, inclusive growth economy.
