SON Warns Manufacturers Against Unqualified Calibration Providers

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has cautioned manufacturers to avoid engaging unqualified calibration service providers, warning that such practices threaten product quality and could erode public confidence in locally made goods.

The warning came from SON’s Director General during an event in Lagos marking the 2025 World Metrology Day. This year’s theme, “Measurements for All Times, for All People,” underscores the critical role of accurate measurement in national development and sustainable economic growth.

The Director General stated that SON is intensifying efforts to eliminate uncertified calibration operators by working in collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies. The aim, he noted, is to ensure manufacturers—especially those in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector—have access to reliable, certified calibration services that add genuine value.

To improve accessibility and reduce dependence on informal service providers, SON has decentralised its calibration services to strategic economic hubs in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. This regional expansion is intended to ease access for businesses and promote greater compliance with national standards.

In a further move to enhance outreach, SON has rolled out mobile calibration units, targeting remote and underserved areas. These grassroots services are designed to deliver certified measurement tools directly to manufacturers, supporting inclusivity and helping SMEs meet regulatory standards.

Reaffirming SON’s commitment to its mandate, the Director General emphasized that metrology and standardisation are central to improving productivity, reducing waste, protecting the environment, and facilitating trade. He added that SON is aligning its initiatives with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria First Policy by working to establish a robust national metrology infrastructure.

He revealed that developing a nationally accredited metrology facility would significantly reduce capital flight by allowing laboratories to access traceable measurement services domestically. This would, in turn, strengthen the credibility of Nigerian exports, safeguard public health, and promote environmental sustainability.

Accurate measurement, he added, is also vital in reducing disputes and transaction costs in commercial transactions, ensuring transparency and consistency across supply chains.

Representing the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Commander of Zone A lent support to SON’s campaign, stressing that precise measurements are critical to customs operations. From detecting contraband to calculating duties and verifying the content of imports, accurate data, he said, plays an indispensable role in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and national security. He described metrology as “the invisible infrastructure that powers visible trade flows.”

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) also pledged its support for SON’s drive, committing to collaborate on promoting accurate calibration and standardisation across the sector. According to the association, precise measurements are essential for strengthening consumer confidence and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian products in both local and international markets.

The event brought together stakeholders from across the industrial landscape and underscored the pivotal role of metrology in national development. As Nigeria pushes toward industrialisation and a more competitive economy, accurate measurement and strong quality infrastructure remain central to its progress.