The Federal Government has presented the Africa Quality Mark (AQM) certification to 220 Made-in-Nigeria products produced by 131 companies.
The certification is part of efforts by the government to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in regional and continental markets.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, presented the certificates at an event organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu.
Oduwole described the certification as a celebration of Nigerian excellence and a major step toward strengthening the country’s industrial and export capacity.
She said the recognition reflected the emergence of a stronger culture of quality, competitiveness and industrial discipline among Nigerian manufacturers.
“Today, we are honouring companies that have demonstrated that products proudly made in Nigeria can meet continental standards, compete successfully across borders and earn the confidence of consumers across Africa.
“This recognition goes beyond certification. It reflects the emergence of a stronger culture of quality, competitiveness and industrial discipline,” she said.
Oduwole said Nigeria’s vision was to transition from a consumption-driven economy to a leading production and export hub for Africa.
The minister said that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement had created new opportunities for businesses.
She however stressed that its success would depend on the ability of firms to meet accepted quality standards.
“Quality is no longer a competitive advantage; it is a necessity.
“In today’s market, consumers and trading partners demand products that meet stringent requirements for safety, reliability and performance,” she said.
Oduwole described the Africa Quality Mark, developed under the auspices of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), as a powerful symbol of trust.
She said the certification assured consumers across Africa that products met harmonised continental standards and provided manufacturers with wider market access.
“For Nigerian manufacturers, this certification is a passport to expanded market access and greater continental acceptance.
“The federal government will continue to strengthen Nigeria’s quality infrastructure through standards development, testing, inspection, certification, accreditation and metrology,” she said.
According to her, these are critical pillars for industrialisation, consumer protection and export competitiveness.
She commended the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for advancing standardisation and quality assurance, while also acknowledging ARSO’s role in promoting harmonised standards across Africa.
She urged manufacturers to sustain the standards that earned them the certification and to increase production to take advantage of opportunities in the African market.
“With this certification, the market is now wider for you. To meet both local and export demand, you need to produce more and continue investing in quality,” she said.
Earlier, a representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mrs. Chioma Okpara, said the certification demonstrated the positive impact of investments in smallholder farmers, processors and rural enterprises.
Okpara, who represented IFAD Country Director in Nigeria, Dede Ekoue, said several women-led enterprises supported under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) were among the beneficiaries.
She noted that the certification would enhance market access, strengthen consumer confidence and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products.
The Chairman of the Standards Council of Nigeria, Mr. Yahuza Inuwa, represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Prof. Samson Duna, said standards remained critical to promoting intra-African trade.
He said harmonised standards and conformity assessment systems would help address concerns relating to product safety, market acceptance and competitiveness across the continent.
According to him, Nigeria currently leads among participating countries in the number of certified products and companies under the Africa Quality Mark programme.
Duna urged more manufacturers to embrace quality standards and certification as tools for expanding trade and strengthening Africa’s industrial development.
The Africa Quality Mark is a continental certification scheme developed by ARSO to promote compliance with harmonised African standards and facilitate trade under the AfCFTA framework. (NAN)
