SON urges manufacturers to sustain product quality

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on manufacturers to uphold product quality standards to safeguard consumers, bolster confidence in Made-in-Nigeria items, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria's manufacturing industry. At the 2026 National Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Quality Award Ceremony held in Lagos, SON's Director-General and CEO, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, addressed the need for sustained quality in products.

Okeke highlighted that MANCAP, established in 2006, aims to ensure compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards, promote fair competition, protect consumer rights, and support economic diversification. Since its inception, MANCAP has seen a significant increase in certifications, rising from 1,930 products in 2006 to 17,866 products from 8,634 companies.

Okeke emphasized that MANCAP certification includes factory inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing, and compliance reviews, with certificates being renewed every three years. He urged manufacturers to remain dedicated to standards, regulators to enforce rules fairly and consistently, and consumers to demand quality and make informed choices.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, also stressed the importance of quality and conformity across the manufacturing sector, emphasizing that every participant in the quality ecosystem bears responsibility in upholding standards.