Adherence to standards critical for success of businesses, nation — SON

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has affirmed that adherence to standards is a critical factor in ensuring the success of businesses and the nation at large.

This was stated by the Director General, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, during a one-day stakeholders sensitisation/capacity building held on Wednesday in Ibadan.

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He added that standards are not just a set of technical specifications or regulatory requirements but the foundation upon which a strong and resilient economy is built.

Okeke, who was represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs, SON, Mrs Talatu Ethan noted that standards are an essential part of the strategy for improving the quality, safety and competitiveness of Nigerian products and services in the global marketplace.

She said that quality standards ensure that products meet both national and international expectations.

Adding that for Nigerian businesses to grow and remain competitive globally, embracing standards is no longer optional but a fundamental requirement.

Ethan further stated that the workshop is aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the crucial role that standards play in moulding the future of the Nigerian industries.

Adding that the workshop is also meant to sensitise stakeholders from various sectors, including government, industries and academia, to help improve the quality of Nigerian products, enhance safety, efficiency and global competitiveness.

She said, “At SON, we firmly believe that standards are not just a set of technical specifications or regulatory requirements; they are the foundation upon which we can build a strong and resilient economy. In today’s borderless world, adherence to standards has become a critical factor in ensuring the success of business and the nation at large. Standards are an essential part of our strategy for improving the quality, safety and competitiveness of Nigerian products and services in the global marketplace

“As we deliberate on the theme of today’s workshop, it is clear that prioritizing standards adherence is crucial to enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian industries.

“Adhering to internationally recognised standards brings numerous benefits. Today’s workshop is an opportunity for all of us to gain a deeper understanding of the crucial role that standards play in moulding the future of our industries and our nation.

“We are here to sensitise stakeholders from various sectors, including government, industries and academia on the significance of standards in achieving our collective goals, which will help us improve the quality of Nigerian products, enhance safety and efficiency and importantly increase our global competitiveness.”

In her speech, the guest speaker, Dr Folashade Adeboyejo stressed the need to create more awareness on standard adherence.

Speaking on the theme ‘Prioritising standards adherence to enhance competitiveness’, she stated that many manufacturers are faced with challenges, including, lack of awareness on what to do to be able to conform to standards.

She added that manufacturers encounter problems ranging from the harmonisation of different regulatory frameworks, the bureaucratic bottlenecks and the complexity of the system before being certified.

Adeboyejo added that to encourage certification of products, the government should simplify the process through which manufacturers and business owners get their products certified and registered to enable producers to compete in the global landscape.

She said that when manufacturers adhere to standards, it helps the growth of their businesses and also promotes the creation of employment opportunities.

She said, “I think this programme is a very good one in sensitising and informing manufacturers on what they need to do to adhere to standards, because many of them lack the information on what to do to conform to standards.

“Some encounter problems ranging from the harmonization of different regulatory frameworks, the bureaucratic bottlenecks and the complexity of the system before being certified.

“To encourage certification of products, the government should simplify the process through which manufacturers and business owners get their products certified and registered to enable producers to compete in the global landscape.”

In an interview with the Oyo state coordinator, SON, Akanbi Eyitayo, noted that the capacity building is aimed at sensitising the public and stakeholders on the need to know that adherence to standards is the key to a good quality product.

He said that all hands must be on deck to put an end to the production of fake products in the country, adding that the public should notify the statutory body when they come across any fake product or organisation producing products suspected to be substandard products.

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