The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified its regional expansion efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial support system, with new offices commissioned in Minna and Sokoto as part of a broader plan to bring quality assurance services closer to production hubs across the country.

Two years into the leadership of Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke as Director-General, SON has focused on decentralising operations to make standardisation and certification more accessible to manufacturers, exporters, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

At the commissioning ceremonies, government officials described the new facilities as strategic investments in Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem, designed to promote competitiveness and compliance with global best practices.

In Minna, the new office was inaugurated by the Director of Projects at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, representing Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who emphasised that the facility would support local producers in meeting both domestic and export market standards.

In Sokoto, the commissioning was led by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, who noted that the expansion aligns with the Renewed Hope Industrialisation Agenda of the Federal Government.

According to Enoh, the initiative reflects a shift toward practical and localised standardisation, ensuring that quality assurance directly supports enterprise growth and job creation.

“These offices represent innovation, collaboration, and our collective commitment to empowering small businesses through standards that enhance productivity and competitiveness,” he stated.