By Lucy Ogalue
The Federal Government has called on Nigeria’s organised private sector (OPS) and public sector to uphold and demand quality in products and services.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said this was part of efforts to entrench a culture of quality across all economic sectors.
Speaking at a workshop on Sustainable Provision of Metrology Services in Nigeria, Tinubu emphasised that prioritising quality would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
He said the workshop, held in Lagos under the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), was supported by the United Kingdom Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The SGF was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the SGF’s office, Dr Maurice Mbaeri.
Tinubu said that strengthening Nigeria’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) through the effective implementation of the Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) would boost non-oil exports, increase foreign exchange earnings, stabilise the Naira, and create jobs.
The president urged stakeholders to actively drive the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
He cited Nigeria’s recent recognition as Africa’s Digital Trade Champion at the 38th African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He also commended the United Kingdom for its support in advancing Nigeria’s quality infrastructure through the SPP.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), Osita Aboloma, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to fostering an efficient NQI that strengthens Nigeria’s global trade position.
Aboloma stressed that the NNQP’s implementation would mitigate export rejects and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Dr Simeon Umukoro of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade reiterated the UK’s continued support for Nigeria’s economic diversification and trade growth.
Umukoro emphasised that the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership MoUI was yielding tangible results through the SPP.
He noted that the partnership, implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and Nigeria’s NQC, sought to enhance standardisation, accreditation, inspection, and metrology services.
According to him, this will improve Nigeria’s export capacity, attract investments, and align trade practices with global standards.
