Dr Ifeanyi C. Okeke

I was pleased to pay a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, FMTI, Dr. Isopkunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem, for a briefing on the forthcoming African Quality Mark Award Ceremony.

Our discussions focused on preparations for the event and the importance of strengthening quality standards as a driver of industrial growth, competitiveness, and economic development across Africa.

I look forward to continued collaboration in advancing the quality agenda for national and continental progress.

As we mark this blessed period of Eid al-Adha, I extend my warmest greetings to our Muslim staff members, stakeholders, and all Nigerians.

This season reminds us of the profound lessons of sacrifice, obedience, and unwavering faith as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It is a call to reflect not only on devotion to God, but also on our shared responsibility to one another as citizens and professionals committed to national progress.

At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, sacrifice is expressed in our daily pursuit of excellence, often through quiet commitment to ensure that products, services, and systems meet the highest standards for the safety, health, and prosperity of all Nigerians. In many ways, the work we do mirrors the spirit of Eid: discipline, integrity, and a commitment to something greater than ourselves.

As we celebrate, I encourage everyone to carry forward the values of this season- selflessness, excellence, and unity-into our work and our communities. May this Eid bring peace to our homes, strength to our institutions, and renewed hope for our nation.

Eid Mubarak and Barka da Sallah.

I am pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Digital Health Interoperability Network (DHIN), formalising a strategic partnership aimed at advancing standards implementation, interoperability, regulatory alignment, and capacity development in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

This collaboration will support the adoption of SON-approved standards across electronic medical records, laboratory information systems, telemedicine platforms, and other digital health solutions. It will also promote technical exchanges, capacity building, and the implementation of internationally aligned standards that enhance patient safety, quality assurance, and confidence in digital healthcare services.

At SON, we remain committed to supporting innovation through standardisation and to working with key stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s digital transformation is built on a foundation of quality, safety, and interoperability.

This past week, I had the privilege of joining stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, and metrology professionals to commemorate World Metrology Day 2026.

The theme, "Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making," reminds us that accurate and reliable measurements are the foundation of sound governance, industrial growth, consumer protection, scientific advancement, and economic competitiveness.

At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), we remain committed to strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure through calibration, testing, inspection, standards development, and conformity assessment services that promote accuracy, traceability, fairness, and compliance across all sectors.

As we advance the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy and industrialisation agenda, trusted measurements will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that Nigerian products and services meet global standards and compete successfully in international markets.

I appreciate all our partners and stakeholders for their continued support in building a quality-driven and globally competitive Nigeria.

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) received a delegation from the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) Nigeria on a familiarisation visit aimed at deepening understanding of the Federal Government’s newly launched Single Window Programme.

The delegation, led by Country Director Mary Ameh, engaged with SON management to explore alignment and operational synergies within the harmonised platform. Also in attendance were Jubril Mohammed (Head of Standards), Stephen Attahiru (Head of IPCD), and Olorunfemi Adedeji.

Representing the Director General, the Head of Standards emphasised that while core regulatory processes remain unchanged, they are now integrated with those of other government service-providing agencies within a single window. This harmonisation simplifies access, enhances transparency, and improves efficiency for stakeholders.

The engagement highlights the value of collaboration in strengthening systems that support public health delivery, as initiatives like GHSC-PSM continue to support the scale-up of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and family planning services across Nigeria.

Today, I remember my beloved brother, Late Mr. Uchechukwu Chukwudinma Okeke, on what would have been his 40th birthday. Your memory lives on, always. Forever in our hearts.

On this Easter Sunday, I pause to reflect on the meaning of the empty grave.

It is a quiet but powerful symbol that speaks of hope, renewal, and the possibility of change even when circumstances seem uncertain. It reminds us that endings are not always final, and that there is strength in perseverance and faith in a better outcome.

At a time when our nation continues to navigate complex challenges, this moment calls for calm reflection and renewed commitment. It encourages us to stay focused on what is right, to act with integrity, and to remain dedicated to the responsibilities entrusted to us.

At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, our work is anchored on trust, quality, and service to the nation. This season offers an opportunity to reaffirm these values and to continue striving for standards that support growth, protect consumers, and strengthen our economy.

I wish all Nigerians a peaceful and reflective Easter.

Alongside the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Automotive Design and Development Council, we officially launched the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP).

This is a practical and preventive step to fix a long-standing problem, the entry of unsafe and substandard vehicles into Nigeria.

With VehCAP, every vehicle and automotive product must now be certified BEFORE it enters our market. No certification, no clearance. It’s that simple.

At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, our focus is clear: protect lives, ensure quality, and strengthen trust in our automotive system.

VehCAP is not just policy; it is action. It means safer roads, better vehicles, and a more responsible market for all Nigerians.

I had the privilege of presiding over the 42nd Management Meeting of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, held on March 24–25, 2026, at our Ogba Laboratory Complex in Lagos.

The meeting provided an important platform to review our restructuring efforts aimed at sharpening operational focus, strengthening regulatory outcomes, encouraging specialization, and improving overall service delivery.

I presented a progress report covering our journey from 2025 to date, highlighting the deliberate reforms and strategic decisions we have implemented across key operational areas. I am particularly encouraged by the growth of our management team, including the promotion of seven directors into the management cadre in 2025, which has further strengthened our leadership capacity and operational efficiency.

Our commitment to succession planning, institutional continuity, and effective service delivery remains unwavering. I am also pleased to note a historic milestone in our capacity-building efforts: the successful implementation of Phase One of the 2025–2027 Training Matrix. For the first time in SON’s history, all staff across our ten regions were trained within a single year, through both in-person and virtual platforms.

I am confident in the progress we have made in enhancing staff capability, leadership readiness, and workforce effectiveness. We remain committed to consolidating these gains and driving further reforms to strengthen our service to the nation.
The meeting provided an important platform to review our restructuring efforts aimed at sharpening operational focus, strengthening regulatory outcomes, encouraging specialisation, and improving overall service delivery.

I am pleased to announce the formal unveiling of the Product Authentication and Tracking System (PATS), a landmark Public-Private Partnership initiative jointly driven by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, SON, and NAFDAC, in collaboration with Conformity Management Solutions Limited.

This initiative represents a major step forward in our collective effort to combat counterfeiting, enhance product traceability, and strengthen regulatory enforcement across key sectors of the Nigerian economy. By deploying a nationwide digital track-and-trace system, PATS will help authenticate products, improve supply chain transparency, protect consumers, and support fair competition for genuine manufacturers.

The signing of this agreement in Abuja underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, improved standards compliance, and the protection of public health and safety, while also fostering a more competitive and transparent industrial environment.

At SON, we remain committed to advancing quality standards and working with all stakeholders to ensure that only safe, certified, and authentic products reach the Nigerian market.