The governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade relations and economic growth.
This initiative is part of the implementation of Nigeria’s National Quality Policy (NNQP) and falls under Phase II of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP). The SPP was officially launched in June 2024 during the African Organisation for Standards (ARSO) General Assembly in Abuja.
The program aims to eliminate technical trade barriers, improve regulatory compliance, and enhance export competitiveness for both countries. It is implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in partnership with Nigeria’s National Quality Council (NQC).
The SPP operates under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and focuses on delivering a robust quality infrastructure. This includes standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment, as well as inspection, testing, and metrology services.
Stakeholders from public and private sectors attended the NNQP Matrix Implementation Training-of-Trainers Workshop in Lagos and Abuja. Discussions centered on capacity building for quality compliance and the role of metrology in ensuring accurate measurement, calibration, and certification of goods.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, emphasized the importance of a strong national quality infrastructure. He noted that improving standards, metrology, and accreditation systems can boost non-oil exports, create jobs, and strengthen the naira.
Osita Aboloma, Chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), stressed that stakeholder collaboration is crucial for Nigeria’s quality and trade ambitions. Dr. Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead at the UK Department for Business and Trade, reiterated Britain’s strong support for Nigeria’s economic diversification.
The UK and Nigeria remain strategic partners in trade and investment, and improving Nigeria’s national quality infrastructure is expected to unlock new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.
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