SON celebrates MANCAP’s 20th anniversary, honours consistent manufacturers

Charles Okonji

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing quality standards across the manufacturing sector, warning that manufacturers must sustain compliance with applicable standards as the agency marks 20 years of its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

The Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, gave the assurance at the 2026 National MANCAP Quality Award Ceremony held in Lagos on Wednesday, where the agency celebrated two decades of promoting quality assurance, consumer protection and confidence in Nigerian-made products.

Okeke expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance recorded among manufacturers, describing the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate 20 years of commitment to excellence and confidence-building in locally manufactured goods.

He said the celebration went beyond commemorating an anniversary to recognising the vision, dedication and innovation of Nigerian manufacturers who have consistently maintained quality standards.

“We’re not just having an anniversary, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, but celebrating a legacy, recognising excellence and reaffirming our commitment to quality as the foundation of national development,” he said.

The SON boss explained that MANCAP, which took effect on February 1, 2006, was introduced to promote fair competition, protect consumers’ rights to quality products and value for money, and support the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the programme serves as a flagship mandatory certification scheme for locally manufactured products, ensuring that they comply with relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

He added that the scheme helps prevent the production and sale of substandard and unsafe products while strengthening confidence in goods made in Nigeria.

Highlighting the programme’s achievements, Okeke disclosed that between 7,000 and 8,000 products had been validated or certified from 8,634 companies, demonstrating MANCAP’s contribution to quality assurance and the development of the manufacturing sector.

Manufacturers who had maintained their MANCAP certification for 10, 15 and 20 years were honoured at the ceremony in recognition of their consistency and commitment to quality assurance.

The Director-General noted that their achievements demonstrated that quality was more than a regulatory obligation, describing it as a sustained business responsibility that builds consumer trust and creates lasting value.

He explained that MANCAP certification involves factory inspections to verify that manufacturing processes and products comply with established standards.

Okeke urged manufacturers, regulators and consumers to embrace collective responsibility in building a stronger quality assurance system in Nigeria.

He said SON would continue to strengthen conformity assessment, support manufacturers and promote an enabling environment for Nigerian products to compete favourably in domestic and international markets.

“Manufacturers must remain committed to standards. Regulators must ensure fair and consistent enforcement, and consumers must demand quality and make informed choices,” he said.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the 20th anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen confidence in Nigerian-made products and improve their competitiveness in local and international markets.

She noted that MANCAP had expanded significantly since its introduction in 2006, when 1,930 products were certified, underscoring the growing importance of product certification to Nigeria’s industrial development.

The minister urged manufacturers to make quality an integral part of their production processes rather than treating standards as mere regulatory requirements.

According to her, the theme of the anniversary, “Building Trust in Quality and Safety Ecosystems,” highlights a fundamental requirement for sustainable industrial development.

She stressed that trust remained the foundation of competitive businesses, confident consumers and credible markets, adding that all stakeholders had a responsibility to ensure that quality and safety remained non-negotiable priorities.

“Quality must become a driver of industrial growth, not only a requirement for regulatory compliance,” she said.

Oduwole called for stronger national quality infrastructure, improved coordination among institutions responsible for standards and certification, and greater access to technical support for manufacturers seeking to meet applicable market requirements.

She added that a manufacturing sector driven by quality, safety, reliability and value would help expand local production, attract investment, create jobs and grow Nigeria’s non-oil economy while protecting consumers and rewarding compliant manufacturers.

Earlier, the Head of the MANCAP Division in SON’s National Product Certification Department, Engr. Ayodele Akinware, described the programme as a guarantee of quality for products manufactured in Nigeria.

Akinware explained that every product manufactured locally must meet the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard before it can be sold, stressing that MANCAP provides consumers with an assurance that certified products have met the required benchmarks.

He traced the programme’s development to 2006, noting that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act of 2015 strengthened its legal foundation, while subsequent expansion extended its reach across the country.

According to him, MANCAP now covers six major product sectors: food; chemicals; electrical and electronics; mechanical products; civil and building materials; and textiles and leather products.

He said the programme’s continued development would further strengthen confidence in Nigerian-made products and support the country’s drive towards improved manufacturing quality, consumer safety and industrial competitiveness.

The anniversary ceremony brought together regulators, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to celebrate the programme’s achievements and renew their commitment to promoting quality and safety in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.