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 Organisation of Nigeria is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ^[2]

Functions and mandate

The functions of SON includes but are not limited to the following: ^[3]

• 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

Establishment

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. ^[4] SON is a member of the International Organization for Standardization. ^[5]

History

• 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]

Directors General/Chief Executives of SON Since Inception ^[8]

Year	Name
1971-1985	Mr. D. O. Ogun, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
1985-1990	Col A. D. Etuk Udo, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
1990	Col R. G. Pollit, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
1990-2000	Prof Joseph Ahmadu Abalaka, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2000-2001	Prof Tseaa Shambe Cchem FRSC, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2001-2011	Dr John Ndanusa Akanya OON, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2011-2016	Dr Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu MFR, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2016-2020	Osita. A. Aboloma, Esq, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2020-2023	Mallam Farouk A. Salim, Director General/Chief Executive, SON
2023-present	Dr. Ifeanyi C Okeke, Director General/Chief Executive, SON

Initiatives

• 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

• Yahuza Ado
• Kano State House of Assembly
• All Progressives Congress
• Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)
• Rabiu Kwankwaso
• Politics of Nigeria

References

1. "About SONCAP". Cotecna Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
2. "About SONCAP". Cotecna Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
3. "About SON - Nigeria Trade Portal". Nigeria Customs Service. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
4. "SON". ISO. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
5. Justice (2022-02-25). "Full Information about Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)". pharmchoices.com. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
6. Okogba, Emmanuel (2022-11-24). "SON approves over 168 new standards in two years". Vanguard News. 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. "Federal Government of Nigeria Single Window for Trade". trade.gov.ng. January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.