By Nkechi Eze
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has convened a strategic stakeholder engagement forum in Rivers State, bringing together key players from the Ikoku Auto Spare Parts Market, maritime sector, and manufacturing industry to advocate for greater adherence to quality standards and regulatory compliance.
The forum, which was held as part of SON’s ongoing nationwide outreach, served as a platform for dialogue on the importance of aligning business practices with Nigeria’s trade and industrial policies.
It also aimed to reinforce the role of standardisation in promoting consumer safety, boosting local industry competitiveness, and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on behalf of the Director General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Talatu Ethan, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to building a quality-driven economy. She emphasized that the implementation of standards is vital for national prosperity, and urged businesses across sectors to treat compliance not as a burden but as a pathway to growth and global competitiveness.
“Standards are not barriers to trade; they are enablers of progress,” Mrs. Ethan said. “Through collaborative efforts between SON and the private sector, we can create an environment where quality becomes the norm and not the exception.”
The engagement drew a diverse audience including importers, traders, maritime operators, and manufacturers, many of whom welcomed SON’s renewed focus on partnership and education. Participants expressed their commitment to adopting quality assurance frameworks that enhance product integrity and consumer trust.
The event concluded with a renewed call for joint efforts in ensuring that all goods and services circulating within and outside Nigeria meet established quality benchmarks. SON reaffirmed its readiness to provide the necessary technical support, training, and certification services to help stakeholders meet both domestic and international standards.
By deepening engagement with critical industries in Rivers State, SON continues to advance its mandate of standardisation and quality assurance as a catalyst for economic development and sustainable trade.
