By Umar Idris Shuaibu
The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described quality as a critical ingredient for national development, urging Nigerian businesses and institutions to prioritise excellence in all sectors of the economy.
Ganduje made the remark in Abuja during the official launch of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Quality Mark Initiative and the presentation of African Quality Mark certificates to Nigerian companies by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive to promote quality assurance, enhance product competitiveness, and strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the occasion, Ganduje stressed the importance of complementing Nigeria’s abundant human and material resources with quality standards capable of driving sustainable development.
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“The issue of quality is very important. We have quantity, but there must also be quality. This forum is important because it encourages excellence in whatever we are doing,” he said.
The ARSO Quality Mark Programme, implemented under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is designed to promote compliance with harmonised African standards and facilitate easier access for African products within the continental market.
During the ceremony, certificates were presented to ASIN Premium Rice and other enterprises in line with the adopted continental standard, ARS 461 for milled rice, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to internationally recognised quality benchmarks.
Among the recipients of the African Quality Mark certification was Dr. Amina Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whose company, ASIN Premium Rice, was honoured for meeting the harmonised African quality standards for milled rice. The recognition highlighted the company’s commitment to quality assurance, product excellence, and compliance with internationally accepted standards aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products within the African market.
Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said the African Quality Mark certification would enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products and improve market access across Africa.
According to him, the certification serves as practical evidence of compliance with harmonised African standards, assuring consumers and trading partners of product safety, reliability, quality, and performance.
“The companies receiving these certifications today are no longer limited to the Nigerian market; they now have access to the wider African market,” Okeke stated.
He noted that harmonised standards would reduce technical barriers to trade, eliminate multiple certification requirements, and provide manufacturers with a unified framework for production and conformity assessment.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Sheriff, described standards and certification as essential tools for improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Sheriff added that Nigeria’s aspirations within the global halal economy would depend significantly on strong certification systems and adherence to international standards.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Jani Ibrahim, represented by Dr. Ola Michael, described the dual certification initiative as a landmark achievement capable of promoting wider acceptance of African-made products.
He noted that the AfCFTA provides access to a single market of more than 1.3 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product exceeding $3.4 trillion, stressing that Nigeria’s ability to maximise the opportunity depends on exporting high-quality and competitive products.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, also underscored the importance of quality standards in achieving food security, noting that food security extends beyond availability and affordability to include safety and nutritional value.
Stakeholders at the event commended SON and ARSO for advancing harmonised standards across Africa and strengthening the continent’s quality infrastructure.
They also called on more Nigerian manufacturers to embrace standards compliance as a pathway to export expansion, industrial competitiveness, and increased participation in regional trade under the AfCFTA.
The launch of the ARSO Quality Mark Initiative is expected to boost consumer confidence, strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian products, and deepen economic integration across Africa.
Ganduje reiterated that promoting a culture of quality and excellence across industries remains essential for national development, economic prosperity, and Nigeria’s ability to compete effectively in regional and global markets.
