Source: BusinessDay NG
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has introduced a new program to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Aba, Abia State, in enhancing product quality to better compete in global markets. This initiative targets artisans and manufacturers engaged in producing shoes, belts, bags, trunk boxes, and garments, which are among the region’s key industries.
During a sensitization workshop themed “Standardization for Competitiveness: Unlocking Nigeria’s Non-Oil Sector,” Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, SON’s Director General, represented by Chukwuma Aharanwa, highlighted the vital role of MSMEs in driving economic growth. He encouraged local businesses to embrace standardization practices, emphasizing that doing so would significantly improve their ability to access international markets.
Abia State’s dynamic textile and leather industries are critical contributors to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for over 60% of the nation’s new shoe production. The Aba shoe cluster alone is said to export nearly a million pairs of shoes weekly, although much of this trade occurs through informal channels.
Stella Chamberlain, SON’s Marketing Head, stressed the importance of maintaining consistent product quality as a cornerstone for sustaining competitiveness in the global marketplace. Similarly, Anthony Eneh, the Abia State Coordinator for SON, pointed out that standardization minimizes trade barriers while assuring consumers of the safety and reliability of products.
This initiative underscores SON’s commitment to supporting MSMEs in achieving international success and advancing Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
