The Standards Partnership Programme, Phase II, which officially launched in June 2024 with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) during the African Organisation for Standards (ARSO) General Assembly in Abuja, is designed for both countries to eliminate technical trade barriers, improve regulatory compliance, and promote export competitiveness.
Implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in partnership with Nigeria’s National Quality Council (NQC), under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the SPP Programme aims to deliver a robust quality infrastructure focused on improving standardisation, accreditation, conformity assessment, inspection, testing, and metrology services to boost UK/Nigeria’s export capacity, attract investment, and enhance trade efficiency that is aligned with global standards.
At the Nigeria National Quality Policy (NNQP) matrix implementation training-of-trainers workshop which held last week in Lagos and Abuja, stakeholders from both the public and private sectors convened to discuss capacity building for quality compliance and the role of metrology in ensuring accurate measurement, calibration and certification of goods.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while delivering his keynote address in Abuja at the week-long workshop on “The Sustainable Provision of Metrology Services in Nigeria”, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring quality-driven economic growth, and said: “A strong National Quality Infrastructure is essential for Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“Improving our standards, metrology, and accreditation systems can boost non-oil exports, create jobs, and strengthen the naira. This partnership with the UK is a major step forward in achieving these goals”.
Echoing this sentiment, Osita Aboloma, Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Quality Council (NQC), welcomed the initiative, emphasising that stakeholder collaboration is crucial in achieving Nigeria’s quality and trade goals and said: “An effective quality infrastructure will not only support the Federal Government’s economic agenda but also enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products and services in global markets.”
The importance of data-driven quality policy implementation was highlighted, emphasising the role of metrology, accreditation, conformity assessments, and inspections and testing in ensuring that Nigerian exports meet international standards, reducing rejections and improving market access.
At the event, Dr Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead of the UK Department for Business and Trade reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for Nigeria’s economic diversification and trade enhancement efforts in line with the UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
“The UK and Nigeria remain strategic partners in trade and investment. By improving Nigeria’s National Quality Infrastructure, we are unlocking new opportunities to drive innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth for both nations,” said Dr. Umukoro.
The UK and Nigeria share a long-standing trade relationship, with Nigeria serving as the UK’s 38th trading partner. This collaboration aims to: Increase UK/Nigeria exports by aligning industrial and machinery standards.
Improve regulatory cooperation in line with the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
Support Nigeria’s role as the Digital Trade Champion under AfCFTA, leveraging quality infrastructure to expand regional and global trade.
Since the SPP programme launch, it is significantly strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure ecosystem through key legislative, standardisation, and accreditation support.
As the programme progresses, both nations remain committed to advancing trade competitiveness, regulatory efficiency, and industrial growth, which will lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth between the UK and Nigeria.
