The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has invested approximately N15 billion in upgrading its facilities to enhance its ability to enforce manufacturing standards across the country.
SON’s Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, revealed this during a working visit by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Enoh, to the organisation’s laboratory complex in Ogba, Lagos.
Highlighting the critical role of the SON laboratory, Okeke explained that the facility serves as the backbone of quality control in Nigeria, ensuring compliance across sectors like mechanical engineering, energy, food safety, petroleum products, and microbiology.
“We conduct rigorous product testing to certify that manufacturers adhere to our established standards. This laboratory complex was conceived in 2000, construction began in 2013, and today it spans about 10,000 square meters. To date, we have spent around N15 billion on infrastructure and cutting-edge equipment,” Okeke stated.
To expand its reach, SON has also set up regional laboratories in Kaduna, Uyo, Awka, Bauchi, Abuja, and Lagos, along with a Mobile Testing Laboratory for large equipment that cannot be easily transported.
Commending SON’s efforts, Minister John Enoh urged the organisation to maintain strict quality enforcement and avoid compromising standards. He also vowed to combat counterfeit products, which he described as a major threat to local manufacturers.
“Counterfeit goods smuggled into the country are driving genuine Nigerian manufacturers out of business. This must stop. We will work with SON to protect companies that invest in our economy and create jobs,” the minister affirmed.
With this significant investment in infrastructure and enforcement, SON aims to bolster Nigeria’s industrial growth, promote local production, and enhance the country’s global trade competitiveness.
