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SON Certifies 17,866 Products Manufactured by 8,634 Companies Under MANCAP Scheme

SON Certifies 17,866 Products Manufactured by 8,634 Companies Under MANCAP Scheme – THISDAYLIVE

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Director General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has revealed that the organisation has certified and revalidated of 17,866 products manufactured by 8,634 Nigerian companies under its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

Okeke revealed this yesterday in Lagos, in his speech at the, “2026 National MANCAP Quality Award Ceremony,” and the 20th anniversary celebration of MANCAP.

He explained: “The impact of MANCAP is reflected in its growth. In its first year of implementation, the scheme certified 1,930 products from 458 companies.

“Today, certifications and revalidations stand at 17,866 products from 8,634 companies.

“These figures demonstrate the scheme’s contribution to quality assurance and the development of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.” 

He said MANCAP took effect on January 1, 2006, in line with the enabling Act of the SON in a bid to promote fair competition among locally manufactured products, protect consumers’ rights to quality products and value for money, and support the diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

“As SON’s flagship mandatory product certification scheme for locally manufactured products, it ensures that products meet the requirements of relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), helping to prevent the production and sale of substandard and unsafe products while strengthening confidence in Made-in-Nigeria products,” Okeke said.

He explained that the, “Annual National MANCAP Quality Award,” which was instituted this year, recognised “companies that have demonstrated resilience in compliance and consistently maintained their certifications over 10, 15 and 20 years.

“Under the theme, ‘Building Trust in Quality and Safety Ecosystem,’ this ceremony celebrates manufacturers whose commitment to quality promotes consumer confidence, industrial growth and the competitiveness of Nigerian products.” 

The Director General said “as we celebrate 20 years of MANCAP, we must look ahead to a future in which quality becomes a defining characteristic of Nigerian manufacturing.”

He assured that SON will continue to strengthen conformity assessment, support manufacturers and promote an environment where Nigerian products can compete confidently in local and international markets.

In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, said the award ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate manufacturers who have remained consistent in meeting the requirements of the MANCAP scheme.

According to him, the recognition of manufacturers across 10, 15 and 20 years of consistency was particularly commendable because sustained compliance required commitment, discipline and continuous investment in quality. 

Isokpunwu, who also represented the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said: “To all the award recipients, I extend the congratulations of the FMITI and, indeed, the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Your achievements demonstrate that Nigerian manufacturers can build sustainable businesses around quality and conformity.

“Your resilience and continued fulfilment of requirements relating to product safety, performance and competitiveness deserve our commendation.”

He noted that the significance of the awards was beyond recognising individual companies, adding that, “it is also about encouraging a wider culture of quality within Nigerian industry.

“When manufacturers consistently meet standards, they contribute not only to consumer confidence but also to the reputation, credibility and competitiveness of Nigerian products.”

He also charged SON and Nigerian manufacturers to look towards the next 20 years because there is still much work to be done in strengthening Nigeria’s quality ecosystem and ensuring that our industries are equipped to respond to changing consumer expectations, technological developments and the demands of global markets.

“We must therefore continue to encourage manufacturers to see standards and conformity assessment not merely as regulatory requirements, but as tools for improving their products, reducing risks, increasing efficiency and strengthening their competitiveness.

“Quality should be regarded as an investment in the sustainability and growth of every business,” he said.

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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce. 

Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.

Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.

‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.

This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.

Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.

By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.

To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.

These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.

‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.

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