By Nkechi Eze
In a decisive move to improve building safety and promote indigenous manufacturing, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) convened a strategic stakeholders’ meeting at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, themed “Promoting Standard Roofing Sheets for a Safer Built Environment.” The gathering brought together major stakeholders in the roofing sector to address the pressing need for compliance with established standards and to align the industry with national economic development goals.
Representing the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Talatu Ethan, delivered the keynote message. She reaffirmed SON’s unwavering commitment to developing and enforcing standards that protect consumers, ensure safer buildings, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. She noted that the meeting was an important step toward strengthening the quality assurance framework for roofing products in Nigeria, while encouraging collaboration between regulators and manufacturers.
The meeting focused on four key Nigerian Industrial Standards that guide the production of roofing materials in the country. These included NIS 488:2019 for aluminium-zinc coated sheets, NIS 489:2019 for long-span aluminium roofing, NIS 503:2019 for corrugated iron sheets, and NIS 932:2017 for roofing coatings which emphasize both aesthetic value and safety performance. Stakeholders deliberated on the need for strict adherence to these standards, especially given the public safety implications of substandard roofing materials in Nigeria’s construction industry.
The interactive session featured insightful technical contributions and policy perspectives from regulatory experts and prominent figures in the private sector. Mrs. Theresa Ojomo, SON’s Regional Head in Lagos, stressed the importance of continued engagement with manufacturers to foster understanding of these standards and facilitate compliance through technical support.
Also speaking was Mr. Akinpade Abiola from the SON Metrology Department, who represented the Head of the National Metrology Institute, Engr. Samuel Ayuba. He underscored the critical role of precision measurement and standardised testing in roofing production, urging manufacturers to use SON’s metrology services to ensure that materials meet required specifications.
The Head of SON’s Mechanical Group, Engr. Ijachi Ega, offered in-depth explanations on technical enforcement strategies and the importance of mechanical tests in confirming the durability and structural quality of roofing sheets. He emphasized that adherence to established benchmarks was not negotiable and that enforcement would be intensified in the coming months.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) was represented by Mr. Joseph Omorege, who delivered a message on behalf of MAN Director-General, Dr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir. Omorege commended SON’s leadership for proactively engaging with the industry and reaffirmed MAN’s support for regulatory efforts aimed at boosting product quality, safeguarding consumers, and promoting Nigerian-made goods.
The event also featured practical perspectives from manufacturers and roofing solution providers. Mr. Cletus Igbojonu, Managing Director of Charles Aluminium, and Mr. John Nwodo, CEO of JONY TECH, both shared their experiences with implementing SON standards in their production lines. They expressed appreciation for the agency’s collaborative approach and pledged their commitment to ensuring that their products meet regulatory requirements.
One of the most technical sessions came from Mr. Shambe Sunday of ChemTech, who focused extensively on NIS 932:2017. He explained how this roofing coating standard plays a vital role in enhancing product durability and aesthetics, especially in Nigeria’s harsh weather conditions. According to him, coatings not only improve appearance but provide a protective layer that extends the life span of roofing materials, making compliance with this standard both a safety and economic necessity.
A key highlight of the meeting was the strong consensus around the need to enforce the #NigeriaFirst Policy, which mandates Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize the use of locally made and SON-certified roofing materials in all government projects. Participants noted that full implementation of this policy would stimulate the local economy, encourage industrial investment, reduce reliance on imports, and create jobs across the value chain.
In line with this vision, several manufacturers such as Bright Star Aluminium, Koralom Aluminium, Chi Global, ASAP Steel & Pipe, and God First Steel Works, voiced their support and shared commitments to complying with the relevant standards. They acknowledged that standardisation is not just about regulatory compliance, but about building trust with customers and contributing to national development.
Mrs. Talatu Ethan, in her closing remarks, reiterated SON’s readiness to scale up factory inspections, market surveillance, and compliance audits across Nigeria. She called on all stakeholders to see quality not just as a regulatory hurdle, but as a collective responsibility that ensures safer homes, stronger structures, and a more competitive local industry.
The meeting ended with renewed determination from all participants to advance the roofing sector through standardisation, innovation, and patriotic commitment to national development goals.
