Standards Organisation of Nigeria - SON

28/10/2026

SON ADVANCES REGULATORY CLARITY FOR BOUILLON STANDARD (NIS 293:2024)

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has convened a hybrid stakeholders’ meeting to develop an interpretative guideline for the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Bouillon (NIS 293:2024), aimed at promoting consistent implementation, product quality and consumer protection.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented by Mrs. Iveren Eno, Deputy Director, Product Authentication and Tracking System. He emphasised the need for a common understanding of the standard, particularly on product classification, ingredients, micronutrient fortification, serving sizes, labelling and nutrition claims. Representatives of NAFDAC and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) participated in the engagement.

Dr. Okeke noted that the guideline would clarify ambiguities in the standard without changing its technical requirements, ensuring uniform interpretation by manufacturers and regulators. He acknowledged the contributions of development partners, technical committee members and industry stakeholders in strengthening food quality and safety.

Prof. A.A. Adebowale of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), explained key provisions on serving sizes, nutrient reference values, fortified bouillon and nutrition claims. He highlighted differences in manufacturers’ serving sizes and the need for consistent interpretation of micronutrient requirements to ensure accurate nutrition information for consumers.

The meeting reaffirmed SON’s commitment to collaboration with regulatory agencies, development partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen food safety, improve regulatory clarity and promote consumer confidence in Nigeria’s bouillon industry.

28/10/2026

SON TAKES QUALITY ASSURANCE CAMPAIGN TO KCHST STUDENTS, PROMOTES PRODUCT STANDARDS AND QUALITY CONSCIOUSNESS IN SOKOTO

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Sokoto State Office, has sensitised 22 Public Health Technology students of Khalifa College of Health Sciences and Technology (KCHST), Sokoto, on product standards, quality assurance and compliance during an educational excursion held on Thursday, 22 October 2026.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented by the Sokoto State Coordinator, Mr. Balarabe Ali Mohammed, who welcomed the students and highlighted SON’s mandate to develop Nigerian Industrial Standards and ensure product compliance through quality assurance, conformity assessment and metrology.

Mr. Mohammed explained SON’s role in promoting quality products, protecting consumers and supporting industrial development. He also introduced the students to the Organisation’s departmental structure and its responsibilities as a Federal Government agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The delegation included the College’s Provost, Mr. Abdulmalik Hassan Jiya; Director of Students Affairs, Mr. Gabriel Dumbiri; Deputy Registrar, Mr. Ibrahim Malami Gwiwa; and Media Officer, Mr. Abdulmalik Katune. The visit provided practical insights into the relevance of standardisation and quality assurance to the students’ academic training and future professional practice.

The College management appreciated SON for the warm reception and knowledge-sharing opportunity. The engagement reinforced the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and regulatory agencies in promoting quality consciousness, strengthening consumer awareness and encouraging compliance with standards across Nigeria.

28/10/2026

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, urged manufacturers to consult SON’s physical and online libraries for current Nigerian Industrial Standards, stressing that compliance is no longer optional. He also noted that compliance reports would be shared with the supervising Minister and relevant stakeholders to strengthen regulatory coordination.

The Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Department and Chairman of the Steel Task Force, Engr. Olanrewaju Onipede, highlighted SON’s 2026 enforcement activities, including factory inspections, market surveillance, construction site inspections, product sampling and testing, and the deployment of advanced testing technologies such as XRF and LIBS equipment.

Speaking on behalf of manufacturers, Prince Felix Oba Okojie of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) commended SON’s regulatory improvements. The Special Assistant to the Director-General on Strategic Matters, Mr. Manji Pious, added that the Presidential Committee on Steel remained actively engaged in resolving sectoral challenges and had submitted petitions to SON for regulatory attention.

SON also highlighted plans to share compliance reports with relevant agencies and professional bodies, including the Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractices (PCTM), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to promote accountability and strengthen enforcement across the steel industry.

The engagement, which concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Deputy Director, Engr. Mamza Ijai, reaffirmed SON’s commitment to eliminating substandard reinforcement steel bars, strengthening industry compliance and safeguarding lives and infrastructure through transparent, evidence-based regulation.

28/10/2026

SON STRENGTHENS RISK-BASED OVERSIGHT FOR REINFORCEMENT STEEL BARS

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified efforts to strengthen quality assurance and public safety in the construction sector through an engagement with reinforcement steel bar manufacturers held on 22 October 2026 at the Ogba Laboratory Complex, Lagos.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, highlighted the Organisation’s risk-based regulatory framework, which classifies manufacturers into five categories: No Risk, Low Risk, Medium Risk, High Risk and Catastrophic Risk.

He explained that manufacturers would receive official performance reports based on product testing, factory inspections and market surveillance. Companies with poor compliance records would face more frequent inspections, while those classified as Catastrophic Risk could face factory closure if they fail to improve after three months of monitoring.

Presenting the technical report, the Group Head, Mechanical Engineering and member of the Steel Task Force, Engr. Ijachi Ega, disclosed that 163 reinforcement steel bar samples were analysed, with 96 failing to meet requirements, representing a 58.9% failure rate.

He identified major areas of non-compliance as mass per metre, identification marks, yield strength and actual diameter. The findings underscored the need for stronger regulatory oversight and improved compliance with applicable

28/10/2026

28/10/2026

SON TAKES ‘CATCH THEM YOUNG’ QUALITY CAMPAIGN TO COMMAND DAY SECONDARY SCHOOL, ENUGU

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Enugu State Office, has taken its ‘Catch Them Young’ quality awareness campaign to Command Day Secondary School, Enugu, to educate students on standardisation, consumer rights and the importance of purchasing quality products.

The eight-member delegation, representing the State Coordinator, Engr. Peter Ameh, was led by Mrs. Ugwu Ebele Imelda, Chief Standards Officer and Head of the Food/Codex Unit, alongside Mr. Iorkyaa Paul, Principal Information and Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs, South-East Region. The team highlighted SON’s regulatory responsibilities and the importance of standards compliance in protecting public health and the economy.

Mrs. Ebele educated the students on SON’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), urging them to look out for the official MANCAP mark when purchasing locally manufactured products. She also advised them to check product labels for manufacturers’ details, best-before dates on food products and expiry dates on applicable non-food products.

The team further explained the transition from the old MANCAP logo to the updated version, clarifying how consumers can identify genuine certified products. An interactive session provided students with the opportunity to ask questions about product certification and logo changes, while the delegation presented educational materials, flyers and awareness stickers to the school.

The Head Prefect, Miss Okeke Omasilicha, appreciated SON for the initiative, which reinforced the importance of consumer awareness and responsible purchasing. The outreach reaffirmed SON’s commitment to nurturing quality-conscious young Nigerians and promoting a culture of standards compliance across communities.

28/10/2026

SON STRENGTHENS QUALITY AND FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS FOR WHEAT FLOUR AND WHEAT GRAINS

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has convened a National Technical Committee (NTC) meeting to review the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Wheat Flour (NIS 121:2015) and adopt the African Regional Standard for Wheat Grains Specification (ARS 465:2023). The meeting, held on 19 October 2026 at the Ogba Laboratory Complex, brought together stakeholders to strengthen product quality, food safety and regional trade.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented by Mrs. Nene Obianwu, Deputy Director and Head, Food and Agriculture Group, Standards Development Department. He emphasised the importance of wheat and wheat flour to Nigeria’s food and manufacturing sectors, noting that evolving processing technologies, testing methods and consumer expectations necessitate an update of the existing standard.

Dr. Okeke highlighted that reviewing the wheat flour standard and adopting the regional wheat grains standard would strengthen quality assessment across the value chain, improve consistency in product specifications and facilitate regional trade. He urged committee members to consider food safety, nutritional requirements, fortification, sampling, testing, packaging, labelling and storage to ensure practical and verifiable standards.

The Chairman of the NMC/NTC, Prof. Oluwatosin Benedict Adu of Lagos State University, underscored the importance of aligning national standards with modern processing technologies and regional trade requirements. He encouraged evidence-based deliberations and commended members for their technical contributions and collaborative engagement in developing standards that protect public health and support fair business practices.

The meeting reinforced SON’s commitment to inclusive standards development through stakeholder participation. The review and adoption exercise is expected to strengthen quality assurance across the wheat value chain, promote food safety and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products in regional markets.

28/10/2026

SON SENSITISES ABIA NYSC CORPS MEMBERS ON QUALITY STANDARDS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Abia State Office, has sensitised NYSC corps members at the Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, on product standards, quality assurance and conformity assessment to promote sustainable entrepreneurship.

Addressing the corps members on 15 October 2026, SON representative, Mr. Chidiebere Atowa, encouraged them to maximise the opportunities offered by their service year, particularly through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. He emphasised that compliance with standards promotes product safety, consumer confidence and business growth.

Mr. Atowa advised aspiring entrepreneurs to identify applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards, adopt Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), maintain quality controls and ensure proper product packaging and labelling. He also highlighted SON’s functions, including product testing, certification, factory inspections and market surveillance, noting that compliance supports access to domestic and international markets.

He urged the corps members to become ambassadors of quality in their Places of Primary Assignment and host communities by promoting quality consciousness and discouraging the circulation of substandard products.

Representing the NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Alhaji Yunusa Taminu, the Assistant Director and Head of SAED, Mrs. Joy Onyeforo, appreciated SON for the initiative and encouraged the corps members to integrate quality principles into their business ventures and future careers. The programme ended with an interactive session on certification processes, standards requirements and access to SON’s technical assistance.

28/10/2026

SON SENSITISES STUDENTS OF AQUINAS COLLEGE AND COMMERCIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, AKURE, ON PRODUCT STANDARDS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sensitised students of Aquinas College and Commercial Secondary School, Akure, Ondo State, on product standards, quality assurance and consumer protection through a programme organised by the NYSC Drugs-Free Quality Control Community Development Service (DFQC CDS) Group.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented by the Head of the ChemTech Unit, Mr. Yusuf Adamson Lawal, who emphasised the importance of educating young people to make informed purchasing decisions. He highlighted SON’s role in ensuring that products within its regulatory scope comply with applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards.

Mr. Lawal introduced the students to SON’s certification marks, including the new logo, and explained how to identify relevant marks on products. He also advised them to check product labels for manufacturers’ details, batch numbers, and manufacturing and expiry dates, where applicable, while noting that certification requirements vary across product categories.

The students were further educated on the importance of using quality and safety-compliant products, particularly food items, electrical appliances, cosmetics and household goods. Mr. Lawal encouraged them to purchase products from reputable outlets and share the knowledge acquired with their families, friends and communities to promote responsible consumer practices.

The sensitisation reinforced SON’s commitment to promoting consumer awareness, protecting public health and fostering a culture of quality and safety among young people. It also highlighted the importance of product standards in building consumer confidence and supporting fair trade.

28/10/2026

SON SENSITISES APTAN MEMBERS ON STANDARDISATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Osun State Office, has sensitised members of the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN) on standards compliance, product certification and quality assurance to promote consumer protection and sustainable business practices.

The programme, held on Monday, 19 October 2026, at Oladejo Mosque Hall, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, featured the Director-General/Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, who was represented by the Osun State Coordinator, Mrs. Folasade Owojori. She highlighted SON’s functions, including standards development and enforcement, product certification, factory inspection, laboratory testing and market surveillance.

Mrs. Owojori explained SON’s MANCAP and Product Identification Scheme (P*S), introducing participants to the new MANCAP logo. She urged block moulders to comply with relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards and stamp their products for traceability and accountability. She also advised artisans to use SON-certified materials and encouraged traders to observe proper storage practices to maintain product quality.

She further urged APTAN members to patronise products bearing the SON MANCAP logo and ensure that products have traceable manufacturers’ names and addresses. She emphasised that compliance with standards would promote consumer confidence, product safety, customer satisfaction and business growth.

In his remarks, the APTAN State Chairman, Mr. Olawusi Qazeem, appreciated SON for the technical support and training, noting that the programme was beneficial to members across the association’s diverse business sectors. The sensitisation reinforced the importance of standardisation, product certification and quality assurance in promoting reliable products and responsible business practices.