STANDARDIZING ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY

Achieving standardization of economic sovereignty requires a proper alignment of Nigeria’s economic policies with robust national standards to ensure competitiveness, compliance, and national integrity
In May 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled the ‘Nigeria First’ policy a bold assertion of economic sovereignty aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s economic priorities. The policy places a strong emphasis on promoting the purchase and usage of domestic goods and services, particularly within government procurement and public sector activities. Its core objectives are to strengthen Nigeria’s local industries, reduce dependence on imports, and accelerate industrialization through import substitutions.
More than just an economic directive, the Nigeria First policy represents a broader strategic shift: a reaffirmation of national control over economic direction and a commitment to building a self-reliant. production-driven economy. It is both a practical development agenda and a symbolic statement of the Nigerian government’s intent to prioritize its national interests in a globalized trade environment.
However, policy ambition alone is not enough to achieve meaningful results. For the Nigeria First initiative to succeed, the quality of locally produced goods and services must be able to meet local and internationally acceptable standards. Without this, the substitution of imported products for locally manufactured products would lack credibility and sustainability. This is where the Standards Organization of Nigeria’s (SON) critical role will be brought to bear.
As Nigeria’s apex standardization authority, SON was established under the Standards Organization of Nigeria Act No. 14 of 2015 [hereinafter referred to as the “Act”] and derives its legal foundation from item 62 (2) of the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Its basic mandate revolves around the development, establishment, and enforcement of standards that regulate trade, ensure product quality, and protect consumers making it central to the success of the Nigeria First policy.
Associate Professor Paul Angya aptly captured the role of Standards in Economic Development when he stated:
“Standards elaboration is pivotal to economic development in so many ways, including but not limited to the fact that standards provide useful tools in quality assurance, safety assurance, waste management, and cost reduction. They, in fact, provide the basis for trade transactions within Africa and between Africa and the international community.”
Tellingly, the organization ensures that products, whether imported or locally manufactured comply with applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards before reaching its consumers. This includes certifying goods to relevant standards, conducting quality assurance tests, and inspecting facilities, systems, services, materials, and products for compliance. These functions are essential to fostering consumer confidence, safeguarding public health and safety, and upholding fair trade practices within Nigeria’s commercial environment.
The organization therefore serves as a gatekeeper of quality by protecting consumers from substandard imported goods and services, and boosting consumer confidence in locally-made products. In effect. standardisation is becoming an instrument of economic sovereignty, enabling Nigeria to regulate all its trading activities in favor of its national interests.
This article examines the legal underpinnings of the organization’s role under the Act and how it can bolster the Nigeria First policy, while drawing lessons from countries with economic ties such as:
Kenya and Ghana. It presents a compelling argument that effective standards setting and conformity assessment are essential to transforming the Nigeria First policy from a mere slogan into a sustainable and impactful trade policy.
The Nigeria First Policy: Rationale and Objectives
Nigeria first Policy is an economic nationalist policy with a clear goal of creating consistent demand for local products by leveraging the government’s purchasing power.
Key aspects of the policy include a restriction on foreign goods and services in public procurement where local alternatives exist, and revising procurement guidelines to favor local content. All federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA’s) are now directed to prioritize locally made goods and services in their procurement activities.
In cases where procurement of foreign products or expertise is unavoidable, contracts amongst others, must include provisions for technology transfer and local capacity development. To reinforce these directives, an Executive Order is underway intending to give full legal effect, demonstrating the government’s resolve to institutionalize the policy and move it beyond rhetoric into actionable and enforceable practices.
In the main-time the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s (SGF) circular of 27th May, 2025 on the revised procurement thresholds reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices by mandating that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) incorporate relevant national and international standards where available into procurement specifications, thereby aligning public sector purchasing with globally recognised benchmarks and reinforcing the country’s economic sovereignty through standard-led development.
Secondly, the economic rationale is persuasive. Decades of reliance on imports have stunted Nigeria’s industrial growth and left the country vulnerable to external shocks. Nigeria’s persistent trade imbalance marked by significantly higher imports than exports, particularly in bilateral trade with the Asian region continues to undermine its economic growth and foreign exchange stability. This imbalance was a key concern raised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), especially in the context of the Nigeria China currency swap agreement. wherein Nigeria struggles to generate adequate yuan denominated exports to offset its rising imports. The Nigeria First Policy aims to reverse this dynamic by boosting local production and reducing reliance on foreign goods. However, unless Nigeria strengthens domestic value addition, trade deficits will persist, eroding the intended benefits of local content policies and threatening the sustainability of regional trade agreements.
Muhammed Ladan is of the position that ” .Trade stimulates substantial growth in the economy as it impacts positively on competitiveness, reduces poverty, and creates jobs and more if it is properly aligned with relevant domestic policies.” This observation underscores the core rationale behind the Nigeria First Policy, which seeks to harness trade as a tool for national development by prioritizing local industries, products, and services in government procurement. By aligning trade with domestic industrial policies, the Nigeria First initiative leverages trade not merely as an exchange mechanism but as a strategic enabler of inclusive growth, self-reliance, and national competitiveness exactly the alignment Ladan argues is essential for maximizing trade benefits. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has also lauded the policy, projecting that it would significantly boost GDP growth and reduce unemployment if implemented effectively. This endorsement serves as a positive reaction from the stakeholders’ perspective.
At the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business, Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria–China Relations, held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos on 23rd June, 2025, delegates from both countries (Nigeria and China) explicitly recognized that strengthening, harmonizing, and enforcing shared standards would be instrumental in unlocking increased trade particularly in sectors like agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and Fintech thereby laying a foundation for deeper economic cooperation, investment confidence, and mutual market access.
Essentially, Nigeria aspires to overturn the “Made-in-Nigeria” stigma which hitherto stereotyped all locally made products as being inferior to those imported from foreign countries. Mandating local goods in government projects can restore national pride and encourage private consumers to follow suit. gradually eroding the bias toward imported products.
SON’s Statutory Mandate under the Act:
The Act provides the organization with broad authority to fulfil its mission of standardization and quality assurance. Section 5, outlines SON’s functions, to prepare and enforce standards for all products, processes, systems and services in Nigeria, in both the public and private sectors. This encompasses developing Nigerian National Standards (NIS) for goods and services, and ensuring that locally manufactured products give “the required degree of satisfaction” to consumers. The organization’s mandate explicitly includes certification of products as well as quality assurance of systems and laboratories throughout Nigeria.
As mandated by law, the organization is required to establish a Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for locally manufactured products and an Import and Export Product Surveillance and Conformity Assessment Scheme for goods entering or leaving Nigeria. These regulatory frameworks are designated to ensure that all products whether produced locally or imported comply with the relevant standards before reaching the consumers.
SON’s statutory role as Nigeria’s National Standards Body make the Organisation responsible for ensuring the uniformity of standards, maintenance of metrology control and facilitating the access of Nigerian products to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and international markets
Notably, Section 5(2) of the Act strengthens the organization’s authority in regulatory coordination: it provides that for uniformity of standards, all other agencies involved in regulation of products must collaborate with the Standards Organization of Nigeria. It is a legal recognition that the Organization’s role cuts across all industries.
Section 25 of the Act also empowers the organization to issue certification marks to indicate products that meet national standards. Manufacturers of items that are particularly significant to the economy may be authorized to affix a special mark showing the product meets Nigerian Standards, under the organization’s supervision. The Act carefully guards these marks, prohibiting unauthorized use or any trademarks that could be confused with a standardization mark.
Ensuring Quality in Procurement: SON’s Conformity Assessment Programme and Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, and Public Purchases
A cornerstone of Standard Organization of Nigeria’s contribution to Nigeria First is its administration of product certification schemes that underpin both public procurement and market surveillance. The two programs are SON Conformity Assessment Programme for imports (SONCAP) and Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme for locally manufactured goods (MANCAP). The above are directly grounded in the Organization’s statutory mandate and have become critical quality-control filters in Nigeria’s trade supply chain to prevent the influx of substandard and unsafe products. It ensures that Nigeria does not become a dumping ground for inferior or hazardous goods. For the Nigeria First policy, this is vital as it curbs unfair competition from substandard imports and creates a more level playing field for local industries to thrive.
For MANCAP, the Organization’s inspectors visit factories, test product samples in accredited laboratories, and certify compliant products with the MANCAP seal. From basic consumer goods like cement and wires to paints, electronics, and packaged foods, MANCAP aims to ensure that Nigerian-made goods are safe and of consistent quality. By raising the baseline quality of local products, MANCAP directly supports Nigeria First Policy because government agencies can confidently procure “Made-in-Nigeria” products having passed SON’s certification. As the Nigeria First policy is implemented, we can expect procurement rules (via the Bureau of Public Procurement) to explicitly set the mandatory requirement for MANCAP or SON certification for any local goods supplied to the government. This creates an incentive for manufacturers to get certified or risk exclusion from lucrative government contracts.
The Standards Organization of Nigeria provides training and capacity-building for industries on standards compliance, recognizing that many local producers need technical support to meet stringent standards. All these functions underscore the Organization’s multi-faceted role: “it is not just a policeman arresting bad goods, but also a partner in improving local industry to achieve excellence”.
This integration of standards into procurement ensures that “buying made-in-Nigeria products” does not equate to compromising on quality. It rather links patriotism with professionalism, using the Organization’s legal powers to guarantee that Nigerian goods are fit for purpose.
Indigenous Standards, and Regulatory Coordination
Standard-setting for indigenous products is another aspect of the Organization’s mandate that aligns with the Nigeria First Policy. The Organization develops standards not in a vacuum but often in response to local needs, industries, and even export opportunities. For example, as Nigeria seeks to promote indigenous agricultural products (such as shea butter, cassava flour, or local textiles), it formulates standards to ensure that these products are prepared to high quality for both the local and international markets. Recently, the Organization approved dozens of new standards for emerging sectors like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle conversion and solar batteries demonstrating responsiveness to the evolving needs of Nigerian industry.
By aligning standards for made-in-Nigeria goods with international benchmarks, the Organization enhances the global competitiveness of Nigerian products while advancing domestic policy goals. Many NIS are harmonized with international standards like ISO and CODEX, making them widely acceptable. This strategic alignment builds trust in foreign buyers and ensures that local content requirements in public procurement comply with trade agreements, including World Trade Organization (WTO) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by applying the same standards to both local and foreign goods.
Legal and Institutional Challenges
Despite the robust legal framework, the Standards Organization of Nigeria and the Nigeria First policy may face some challenges. One of such major challenges is that of capacity constraints both in the Organization’s resources and in industry compliance and conformity assessment activities as public agencies increasingly prioritize certified local products. In recent years, budget and staffing limitations have sometimes hampered the Organization’s activities. Addressing this recurrent quagmire requires greater funding for the Organization and possibly leveraging private sector testing laboratories under its oversight to expand capacity.
On the industry side, many local manufacturers especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle to meet standards due to obsolete technology or lack of awareness. Compliance can be costly: upgrading a factory to meet a particular standard may require new machinery or processes. Without support, smaller firms might either ignore standards (risking sanctions) or be pushed out of business. This directly impacts the Nigeria First Policy, since the policy’s success depends on the sufficiency of capable local suppliers. The government recognizes this, which is why the policy package includes measures like low-interest loans amongst others.
On its part, SON has tried to bridge this gap through it SMEs Desk and its recent introduction of a Product Identification scheme (P.I) to provide recognition for products that do not meet the full requirements of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MAN CAP), such as compliance with Nigerian Industrial Standards, in-house testing facilities, and Good Manufacturing Practices. Targeted especially at MSMEs and some large companies with unique products lacking relevant standards, the scheme allows for basic inspections and safety testing to ensure product safety and consumer protection. It also serves as a pathway to MANCAP by offering mentorship, boosting MSME morale, and encouraging the development of market driven standards. This is also essential to prevent Nigeria First from resulting in shortages or monopolies (if only a few big companies can qualify).
Legally speaking, one looming question is how to give the Nigeria First policy a more solid footing. As of June 2025, Save for the SGF’s Circular on revised thresholds, the initiative is merely an executive policy awaiting its proclamation as an Executive Order. The MAN and other critical stakeholders have urged that it be enshrined in legislation to prevent policy reversal by future governments. This could mean amending the Public Procurement Act to include explicit “buy Nigerian” provisions, or passing a dedicated law that mandates preference for Nigerian products in government contracts (with appropriate exceptions). Any such law must however be carefully drafted to comply with international obligations for instance, ensuring that it doesn’t violate ECOWAS rules or the spirit of WTO agreements (government procurement is exempt from some trade rules, but transparency and non-discrimination still apply in certain contexts). So far, the approach has been to frame Nigeria First as a permissible industrial policy focusing on quality and capacity building, rather than a blunt protectionist measure. The legal challenge is to maintain that balance: protect local industry, but keep Nigeria open to fair competition while avoiding trade disputes.
Comparative Models: Lessons from Kenya and Ghana
Nigeria is not alone in the bid to use standards and local preference policies to boost domestic industry. Valuable lessons can be drawn from the experiences of Kenya and Ghana each of which has implemented frameworks to ensure product standards to support national economic goals.
Kenya: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) provides a strong example of rigorous standards enforcement supporting a “Buy Kenya” ethos. Accordingly, all locally manufactured products in Kenya must obtain the Standardization Mark (S-Mark) certification from KEBS before being sold. This is directly comparable to Nigeria’s MANCAP. The S Mark is a mandatory quality mark proving the product meets Kenyan standards, and it covers everything from foodstuffs to electronics.
Additionally, Kenya requires an Import Standardization Mark (ISM) for imported goods: every consignment of specified products must bear the ISM sticker as evidence of compliance with standards via pre-export verification. Goods arriving without a Certificate of Conformity and ISM are subject to delays, hefty inspection fees, or outright rejection. This twin approach of mandatory local certification plus strict import conformity has helped Kenya reduce counterfeit and substandard products, although enforcement issues persist. Kenya’s “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative, is similar in spirit to the Nigeria First Policy. Government tenders in Kenya often specify KEBS certified products, ensuring local suppliers maintain quality. One lesson for Nigeria is the importance of a simple, clearly visible scheme like the SMark/lSM. Consumers in Kenya recognize the KEBS marks on goods; Nigeria could likewise publicize SON’s marks so that buyers consciously prefer certified Made-in-Nigeria products. Kenya also demonstrates the need for continuous vigilance despite the framework, loopholes like allowing destination inspection with lower fees have sometimes re-opened the door to substandard imports.
Ghana: The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has undertaken reforms to strengthen quality control in line with Ghana’s industrialization agenda. Ghana implemented the Ghana Conformity Assessment Program (G-CAP) in 2015, which is akin to SONCAP. Under G-CAP, selected “high-risk goods” must undergo inspection and certification before import into Ghana. For local products, Ghana historically had voluntary standards and a “Ghana Standards Mark” for quality, but it has been moving toward more mandatory technical regulations for key products (for example, enforcing standards on cement and wiring materials to support local manufacturers against cheap imports). Ghana’s approach underscores an important point: prioritize and phase implementation. Ghana also offers a lesson in stakeholder engagement. Its GSA frequently consults industry and has phased in regulations to allow local businesses time to adapt. This participatory approach can help in Nigeria, to avoid alienating businesses with sudden rules. Nigeria, being a much larger market, has even greater influence to lead regional standardization, which could turn Nigeria First into “West Africa First” in terms of building regional value chains.
In sum, the comparative survey suggests that Nigeria should continue to tighten its conformity assessment regime (as seen in Kenya), engage stakeholders and implement policies in phases (like Ghana), and work towards international excellence by aligning its standards system with global best practices. These models affirm that standardizing sovereignty using national standards to shape and safeguard economic outcomes is a path pursued by forward-looking economies. However, this approach requires sustained enforcement, institutional coordination, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Essentially, the “Nigeria First” policy marks a turning point in Nigeria’s journey to economic revival, a reassertion of sovereignty in trade policy through the promotion of local content. However, its success depends largely on the effectiveness of the Standards Organization of Nigeria in raising the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian products. The Organization’s mandate under the Act empowers it to set standards and carry out conformity assessments.
To turn this mandate into tangible support for Nigeria First, a concerted effort is needed from both government and industry. The following recommendations have been made in that regard.
Give Nigeria First a Legal Backbone: The Administration should move beyond the executive policy by codifying Nigeria First principles into law. This could include amending the Public Procurement Act to mandate preference for Nigerian goods that meet standards, with clear criteria and reasonable waivers. The creation of strong legal backing for the policy will guard against any future policy reversals and assure investors of continuity.
Empower and Fund the SON: The Standards Organization of Nigeria should be treated as a strategic institution in the actualization of the Nigeria First policy. The government should increase the Organization’s funding, staffing, and technical capacity in order to enable it to undertake the task of safe guarding the policy’s effective implementation. Upgrading the organization’s laboratories, especially in key sectors like electronics, agriculture, and building materials will ensure faster and more reliable product certification. A stronger SON will ease the certification process and boost compliance.
Encourage SON Certification Schemes through Procurement Alignment: In order to promote quality in public projects, the Bureau of Public Procurement and SON should develop joint guidelines that give weight to relevant SON certifications during tender evaluations. Recognizing these certifications will incentivize compliance and raise product standards nationwide.
Enhance Collaboration Among Regulators: The government should operationalize Section 5(2) of the SON Act by mandating relevant agencies to liaise formally with Organization on standardization and certification. The introduction of a shared information platform such as a unified database of certified products would improve coordination, ease compliance for businesses, and support the Nigeria First policy through unified regulatory action.
Industry Support and Capacity Building: The policy’s enforcement drive must be complimented with effective support for local producers. This includes offering credit facilities and grants for technology upgrades, as well as expanding SON’s training and consultancy programs. Industry associations should partner with the Organization to hold periodic workshops and seminars on standards and quality management. A mentorship scheme where large compliant firms would seek to support smaller suppliers could expand the base of standard-compliant local producers and reduce fears of supply disruptions.
Consumer Awareness and Public Confidence: In order to instil pride in “Made-in-Nigeria” products, consumers must first of all trust their quality. The SON and other partner agencies should intensify its awareness campaigns educating the general public on the risks associated with the use of substandard goods and the significance of respective SON certification marks like SONCAP and MANCAP. As public recognition grows, market forces will favor compliant products and further entrench a culture of quality.
In conclusion, standardizing sovereignty entails embedding standards into the core of Nigeria’s economic strategy. The Standards Organization of Nigeria plays a critical role it connects the vision of the Nigeria First policy to real outcomes in markets and industries. By ensuring Nigerian goods are safe, reliable, and competitive, the Organization empowers the country to assert itself in trade not by exclusion, but by building capacity. A Nigeria where local products dominate procurement, retail, and export markets will be a nation with a more secure economic future. Realizing this vision demands political will, legal resolve, strategic execution, and unified action. With Nigeria First setting the pace and SON setting the standards, the country has a genuine chance to experience an industrial revolution on its own terms to proudly say that ‘what Nigeria produces, Nigeria uses, and the world respects.’

Moor Kuma, Esq.
Legal Services Department
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
osahonmoor@gmail.com

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REFERENCES
Angya, P. T. M. Standardization and quality regulation in Africa: Institutions and legal frameworks. [Aboki Publisher] 2016.
This Day Live (2025): “Nigeria First Policy and Imperative of Import Substitution Industrialisation Policy” -outlining the Nigeria First policy’s announcement and goals.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended).
The Cable (2025): “Buy Nigerian or bust? The doubleedged sword o f the ‘Nigeria First’ policy” -discussing the policy’s mandate for MDAs and its expected economic impact.
Ladan, M. T. (2023). Introduction to African economic integration laws on trade, investment. competition, intellectual property rights and dispute settlement: Implementation framework in Nigeria. Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. ISBN: 978-978-780-129-1.
Law Pavilion Blog (2015): “Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, 2015 -What is this new law bringing to the table?” – summarizing the expanded functions and powers conferred on SON by the 2015 Act.
Standards Organisation of NigeriaAct.
2015 Product Compliance Institute (2024): Overview of Standardization in Nigeria-explaining SON’s MANCAP for local products and SONCAP scheme for imports under the SON Act 2015.
Trade.gov Country Guide – Kenya: Standards for Trade (2023) – describing Kenya’s mandatory Standardization Mark for local goods and Import Standardization Mark requirements for imports.
lntertek/Chamber International – Ghana Conformity Assessment Program (G-CAP) -detailing Ghana’s import inspection program for high-risk goods (2015).
Trade.gov Country Guide – UAE: Standards for Trade (2023) -noting the integration of ESMA into the ministry, UAE’s adoption of international standards, and its conformity assessment schemes (ECAS, EOM).
The Cable (2025): quoting MAN’s positive projections for Nigeria First and the policy’s intent to improve the reputation of Made-in-Nigeria products.

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