…as DG affirms Nigeria’s electric cables rank among the finest globally, thanks to the adoption of international standards
By Nkechi Eze
In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices in standardization, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in partnership with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), recently convened a high-level Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja with the Secretary-General of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Mr. Philippe Metzger, as the guest of honour.
The forum brought together top regulators, industrial leaders, and technical experts to deliberate on critical issues affecting Nigeria’s electrical and electronics sector, particularly in the areas of conformity assessment, innovation, and industrial growth. This gathering underscored the strategic importance of international collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory frameworks and improving the quality and safety of products in the local market.
Addressing participants at the event, the Director General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, highlighted Nigeria’s growing footprint in global standard-setting efforts. He noted that the national adoption of IEC standards had significantly raised the bar for local manufacturing, particularly within the cable industry, where Nigerian electric cables are now ranked among the best globally. Dr. Okeke stressed that standardization is not merely a regulatory tool but a critical driver of industrial competitiveness and economic growth, adding that Nigeria has moved from the periphery to the mainstream of global standardization discourse.
In his keynote address, Mr. Philippe Metzger commended Nigeria’s progress in building a standards-based regulatory culture and expressed the IEC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic development through standards that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He called for increased Nigerian participation in the global standardization process, emphasizing the importance of including diverse perspectives in shaping inclusive and practical international standards. According to him, Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa offers an opportunity to influence standards that address both local realities and global challenges.
Discussions during the forum explored key themes including the integration of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into standard frameworks to promote measurable quality outcomes, the promotion of locally manufactured high-quality products such as SON-certified solar panels, the urgent need to bridge knowledge gaps in standards education across the value chain, and the strengthening of enforcement mechanisms against the proliferation of substandard goods. Participants acknowledged that without rigorous enforcement and public awareness, even the best standards would fall short of achieving their objectives.
The forum also served as a platform to reaffirm the value of regulatory synergy between SON and NERC, particularly in ensuring that Nigeria’s energy and manufacturing sectors are aligned with global safety and quality benchmarks. Stakeholders present at the event expressed optimism that the insights and resolutions from the forum would translate into tangible policy actions that would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
This engagement further reinforces Nigeria’s strategic direction towards industrial prosperity through the adoption and implementation of internationally recognized standards. It also highlights the nation’s unwavering resolve to protect consumers, encourage innovation, and elevate the quality of its industrial output through collaborative regulatory efforts and international partnerships.
