The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced new initiatives to simplify certification access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as part of its efforts to promote quality and safety standards. These moves, aimed at enhancing SMEs’ global competitiveness, were highlighted at the recent “Walk for Standards” event in Lagos, marking World Standards Day.
The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) is central to SON’s strategy. This programme helps local manufacturers meet essential quality and safety standards, increasing consumer trust and enabling entry into international markets. SON’s Acting Regional Director in Lagos, Theresa Ojomo, emphasized the agency’s focus on supporting small businesses with programs designed for their unique needs. “We have brought it down to the very small micro-organisations, encouraging them that they can imbibe standards,” Ojomo stated, adding that SON is committed to easing compliance for SMEs with minimal infrastructure.
SON has introduced affordable schemes tailored to the economic realities of smaller enterprises. “We have brought in schemes that are very low in the economy because they always complained that it’s costly to have standards and quality,” Ojomo said. To reduce the compliance burden, SON conducts just one inspection annually for micro-enterprises, ensuring even the smallest units can adopt quality standards.
Yunusa Mohammed, Head of Codex, Nutrition and Tobacco Monitoring at SON, reinforced SON’s dedication to consumer value, underscoring that quality and safety are the ultimate goals of standardization. “Without testing the product to the requirements of the product standard, there is no way you can give that assurance,” he said. Mohammed also pointed out SON’s investment in advanced laboratories nationwide, providing SMEs with essential testing services to certify their products for both domestic and international markets.
To help SMEs achieve these standards, SON has designed a supportive system that includes incubation, mentorship, and monitoring. “For us to scale the SMEs into the program, we have already designed a system that will uplift them,” Mohammed added.
Additionally, SON’s Head of Marketing, Stella Chamberlain-Okezie, stressed the need for increased awareness of MANCAP and SON’s other certification schemes. “SON is a global house,” she remarked. “If a manufacturer, retailer, or consumer has any concerns about products, SON is there for you.”
Through these programs, SON aims to foster a more inclusive, quality-driven business environment in Nigeria, enabling SMEs to meet the standards necessary for both local success and international expansion.
