By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has certified about 86 products across 50 companies in Kwara with the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), from Jan. to Nov. 2025.
The Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said this in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sidelines of the 4th Quarter Presentation of MANCAP Certificates to businesses in Kwara.
Okeke who was represented by the Kwara State Director of SON, Mr. Ayeni Feyisayo observed that this is a major achievement in the state.
He explained that every year, the Kwara-SON always has a record that it intends to break, and this year is a testament to such achievements.
Okeke noted that MANCAP had been a cornerstone of the agency’s efforts to uphold the highest standards in product manufacturing across the nation.
He described MANCAP as a mandatory product certification scheme, put in place by SON to ensure that all locally manufactured products conform to the relevant Nigerian industrial standards before they are presented for sale or export.
“We have a major responsibility as an organisation to ensure that we verify products, certify and evaluate them.
“We ensure that those products meet the international and national standards. In view of those that have complied, it is necessary for us to give an award as a certificate to demonstrate that compliance is documented.
” For us certification is a major responsibility that distinguishes us from other regulatory body; some register, endows or supervise but we certify and it’s our certification that as MANCAP that will determine how International those products can be,” he said.
The D-G explained that for the past five years, consistent monitoring by the directors have ensured increase in the number of product certification in sectors of water and bread production.
According to him, in Kwara, there are more than 34 percent of those in water production and 26 percent in bread production, while emphasizing on the need to prioritize these sector to ensure quality and standards of product.
He reiterated the commitment of SON towards ensuring quality products gets to consumers, adding that more products are getting certified while pledging more monitoring and certification, so that products continue to improve in quality.
Also speaking, Hajia Abiola Bayero, the Head of Unit, Food Tech emphasised the benefit of MANCAP, saying that it helps promotes consumer confidence.
Bayero explained further that certification is required for products safety, which is tested to ensure that they comply with standards.
One of the MANCAP-certified business owners, Mr Abdulmimeen Bello, Head of Audit, Adejumo Nigeria Limited, commended SON for their support and commitment towards ensuring their products meet the required standards.
He observed that SON only wants the best for companies which in the long run is an advantage to their businesses.
Also in his appreciative remarks, Mr Ibiyemi Opeyemi, Head of Human Resources, United Foam Products Limited noted that SON has ensured that they are always on their toes in terms of quality products.
He said the support has ensured that their products are associated with quality and standards.
NAN reports that some of the MANCAP-certified businesses includes Mighty Hercules Manufacturing and Supply Limited, United Foam Products Limited and Funsho Bakery Concepts.
Others are Adejumo Nigeria Limited, De Yoyo water and SEAP water.
