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The governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria have reiterated their dedication to enhancing trade relations and economic development through the execution of Nigeria’s National Quality Policy (NNQP).
The British Mission on Monday announced that this initiative is part of Phase II of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP).
This programme was officially launched in June 2024 during the African Organisation for Standards (ARSO) General Assembly held in Abuja.
It aims to remove technical trade obstacles, bolster regulatory compliance, and improve export competitiveness for both nations.
According to the mission, the programme is facilitated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Quality Council (NQC).
It functions under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The SPP is designed to provide a strong quality infrastructure concentrated on standardisation, accreditation, and conformity assessment.
It also assists with inspection, testing, and metrology services to enhance UK-Nigeria export capacity, attract investments, and improve trade efficiency in accordance with global standards.
The mission noted that stakeholders from both public and private sectors participated in the NNQP Matrix Implementation Training-of-Trainers Workshop held in Lagos and Abuja.
Discussions revolved around capacity building for quality compliance and the importance of metrology in ensuring accurate measurement, calibration, and certification of products.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, underscored the significance of a robust national quality infrastructure.
He pointed out that enhancements in standards, metrology, and accreditation systems could increase non-oil exports, create jobs, and fortify the naira. “This partnership with the UK is a significant advancement towards accomplishing these objectives,” said Akume.
Additionally, Osita Aboloma, Chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), emphasized the necessity of stakeholder collaboration for Nigeria’s quality and trade aspirations.
He remarked that an effective quality infrastructure would support the government’s economic policies and improve the global competitiveness of Nigerian products.
Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead at the UK Department for Business and Trade, reiterated Britain’s robust support for Nigeria’s economic diversification.
“The UK and Nigeria continue to be strategic allies in trade and investment. By enhancing Nigeria’s national quality infrastructure, we are opening up new avenues for innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth,” stated Umukoro.
