The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has called on the Nigerian media to become active advocates of quality and champions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), stressing that their influence is critical to national development.

Dr. Okeke made this call while addressing members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He underscored the media’s role as powerful agents in shaping public perception, influencing consumer behaviour, and driving industrial compliance.

“The media are not just observers but co-drivers of national quality infrastructure,” he said. “Your platforms—print, broadcast, and digital—are instrumental in demystifying standards, catalyzing change, and deepening conversations around Made-in-Nigeria products, quality assurance, and competitiveness.”

He emphasized that standards have become the “currency of global relevance,” stating that compliance is crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification and integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Standards ensure that goods and services meet minimum safety and quality benchmarks, open up markets, drive efficiency, and promote sustainable practices,” he said. “They are not just tools of regulation but instruments of growth and innovation.”

Highlighting SON’s efforts to support industrial growth and consumer protection, Dr. Okeke outlined key services offered by the agency, including:

Internationally accredited laboratories for testing food, chemicals, building materials, and more

Management Systems Certification (MSC) in line with ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000

Calibration Services for precision in measurements and industrial processes

SON Training Services, which offer specialized capacity building for stakeholders

Product Authentication Mark (PAM) and traceability tools to help consumers verify product authenticity and combat substandard goods

He urged the press to give visibility to SON’s enforcement and certification efforts, create public awareness about its programmes such as MANCAP and PAM, and spotlight both compliant and non-compliant manufacturers.

“This is a shared mission,” Dr. Okeke stated. “Let us collaborate to build a national culture of quality, an informed citizenry, and a competitive business environment.”

He assured that SON is committed to deepening its engagement with the media and strengthening the partnership necessary to drive Nigeria towards a safer and more prosperous economy built on standards and quality.