Standards Organisation of Nigeria

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria is the main statutory body responsible for standardising and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria.[1] It was established under Enabling Act Number 56 of December 1971, although it started functioning January 1, 1970. The Act has been amended thrice: Act Number 20 of 1976, Act Number 32 of 1984 and Act Number 18 of 1990. Standards SON is a member of the International Organization for Standardization.[2][3]

Standards Organisation of Nigeria
Agency overview
Formed1971
JurisdictionFederal Government of Nigeria
Headquarters52, Lome Crescent, Zone 7, Wuse, Abuja, FCT
Minister responsible
Agency executives
Websitehttps://son.gov.ng/

Functions and mandate

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The functions of SON includes but are not limited to the following:[4]

  • Certifying products
  • Creating policies for production quality of goods and services
  • Assessing quality assurance activities, including certification of systems, products and laboratories throughout Nigeria
  • Designating, approving and declaring standards in respect of metrology, materials, commodities, structures and processes.
  • Certifying commercial and industrial products throughout Nigeria
  • Registering and regulating standard marks and specifications etc.
  • Investigating product quality
  • Enforcing standards and sanctioning violators
  • Compiling inventory of products in Nigeria requiring standardization
  • Monitoring the standard of imported and exported products
  • Improving measurement accuracies and circulation of information relating to standards

History

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SON was established under Enabling Act Number 56 of December 1971, although it started functioning January 1, 1970. The Act has been amended thrice: Act Number 20 of 1976, Act Number 32 of 1984 and Act Number 18 of 1990.[5] At the 50th anniversary of the agency, the Director General of the Organization announced that the agency has adopted 213 Nigerian Industrial Standards to put proliferation of fake products in check.[6] In March, 2024, SON released 80 newly approved standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles operation in Nigeria.[7]

Leaders

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Directors General/Chief Executives of SON Since Inception[8]
Year Name
1971-1985 D. O. Ogun
1985-1990 A. D. Etuk Udo
1990 R. G. Pollit
1990-2000 Prof Joseph Ahmadu Abalaka
2000-2001 Prof Tseaa Shambe Cchem
2001-2011 John Ndanusa Akanya
2011-2016 Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu
2016-2020 Osita. A. Aboloma
2020-2023 Mallam Farouk A. Salim
2023-present Ifeanyi C Okeke

Initiatives

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  • SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP): A programme that ensures imported products meet Nigerian standards and regulations before shipment.[9]
  • The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for locally manufactured products.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. "About SONCAP". Cotecna Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  2. Justice (2022-02-25). "Full Information about Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)". pharmchoices.com. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  3. "About SONCAP". Cotecna Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  4. "About SON - Nigeria Trade Portal". Nigeria Customs Service. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  5. "SON". ISO. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  6. Okogba, Emmanuel (2022-11-24). "SON approves over 168 new standards in two years". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  7. ONUBA, Ifeanyi (March 11, 2024). "SON Releases 80 Newly Approved Standards For Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles Initiative". The Whistler. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  8. Nwosu, F. P. (2015). "STANDARDS ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA, 1971-2015" (PDF). PhD Thesis, Faculty: Arts, Department: History & International Studies, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka via Research Repository, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA.
  9. 1 2 "Federal Government of Nigeria Single Window for Trade". trade.gov.ng. January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
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