SON opens permanent office in Sokoto

Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision has received a significant lift with the commissioning of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)’s new permanent office complex in Sokoto.

The modern facility, inaugurated on Wednesday by the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Muhammad Idris Gobir, on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, is designed to bring quality assurance and standardization services closer to manufacturers, traders, and consumers across the North-West region.

Governor Aliyu described the project as “an investment in the safety, well-being, and prosperity of our people.” He said the establishment of the SON office aligns perfectly with the Tinubu administration’s push for industrial growth, transparency, and effective service delivery.

“Standards are not just technical requirements; they are moral obligations,” the governor said.

“They ensure that every product made or sold in our country meets expectations of safety, reliability, and fairness. This facility will empower SON to better support our entrepreneurs and manufacturers to achieve excellence.”

The governor assured SON of Sokoto State’s full cooperation, pledging continued support for federal agencies working to promote industrial development, job creation, and economic diversification.

In his remarks, the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said the new complex would decentralize the agency’s operations and eliminate the need for manufacturers and importers from the region to travel to Lagos or Abuja for certification and quality testing.

“This facility brings our services directly to the grassroots,” Okeke stated. “Manufacturers in Sokoto can now obtain certification and technical assistance without leaving the state. We are also finalizing Africa’s largest standardization laboratory in Lagos to enhance our national capacity.”

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh Owan, said the new office represents a crucial step in decentralizing federal operations and expanding industrial capacity across Nigeria.

“This project is part of President Tinubu’s broader drive to diversify the economy beyond oil by supporting industrialization and value addition,” the minister noted.

In a goodwill message, the Customs Area Controller, Aliyu Isa Ndako, described the project as a “game-changer” that will facilitate trade and strengthen compliance with international standards.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Aminu Bala Sokoto commended SON’s foresight and commitment, noting that the new office would play a vital role in consumer protection and industrial growth in the state. He pledged the Sultanate Council’s continued support for the agency.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi — represented by Umar Bala, Director of Industrial Development — reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting SON’s mandate.

“We remain focused on ensuring Nigerians get value for every naira spent through effective standardization and quality control,” Rimi said.

The commissioning attracted top government officials, industry stakeholders, and traditional leaders who hailed the project as a landmark achievement in advancing industrialization, promoting product safety, and boosting consumer confidence across the North-West region.