Nigeria has joined the league of countries whose national measurement standards are recognised internationally following the signing of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA) of the International Committee for Weights and Measures in France
The milestone coincided with the third anniversary of Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke as Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), who signed the agreement on behalf of the country at the 28th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM).
In a statement signed by SON’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ethan Talatu, the organisation said Nigeria’s admission as an Associate State of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) took effect on June 4, 2026.
Okeke described the development as a significant step towards integrating Nigeria into the international measurement system, with potential benefits for trade, manufacturing, scientific research and industrial development.
The CIPM MRA provides a framework for national metrology institutes to demonstrate the equivalence of their measurement standards and secure international recognition for their calibration and measurement certificates.
Its key outputs, known as internationally recognised Calibration and Measurement Capabilities, are published in the BIPM Key Comparison Database.
According to Okeke, the agreement will enhance global recognition of Nigeria’s measurement capabilities, improve the international acceptance of calibration certificates issued by Nigerian laboratories and facilitate cross-border trade.
He added that the arrangement would reduce the country’s dependence on foreign metrology services, strengthen SON’s technical authority and create opportunities for international scientific collaboration and capacity building.
Okeke also said Nigeria had become a full member state of the BIPM, joining Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia as the only African countries with full membership.
The achievement builds on the accreditation of three laboratories at Nigeria’s National Metrology Institute, covering mass, temperature and pressure measurements, to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard through the Egyptian Accreditation Council.
The accreditation provides further assurance of the technical competence of the laboratories and the reliability of their measurement results.
SON Deepens Digital Transformation
The global recognition milestone comes amid efforts by SON to modernise its operations and improve service delivery under Okeke’s three-year leadership.
The agency has introduced several digital initiatives, including the Digital Standards Platform, e-MANCAP and the Electronic Product Registration System.
It has also integrated SONCAP and Import Permit processes into the National Single Window to simplify trade-related procedures and improve regulatory efficiency.
According to SON, the reforms earned the organisation second place among federal ministries, departments and agencies in the 2024 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Transparency and Efficiency Report.
The agency said the initiatives were designed to improve transparency, reduce administrative bottlenecks and make its services more accessible to businesses and manufacturers.
For manufacturers and small businesses, the international recognition of Nigeria’s measurement capabilities could reduce the cost of testing and certification by enabling them to obtain reliable services locally rather than relying on foreign laboratories.
The development is also expected to strengthen confidence in Nigerian products in international markets by improving the credibility of test results and conformity assessments.
131 Companies Certified Under African Quality Mark
SON has also intensified efforts to position Nigerian manufacturers for greater access to African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The organisation has certified 131 companies and 220 products under the African Quality Mark, providing local producers with an avenue to demonstrate compliance with recognised quality requirements and compete across the continent.
The agency has further developed the Nigerian National Standardization Strategy (2024–2027) and secured approval for 217 Nigerian Industrial Standards.
In addition, SON has developed more than 80 standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), supporting Nigeria’s efforts to expand gas-powered transportation and promote alternative energy sources.
The organisation said its initiatives were aimed at strengthening product quality, protecting consumers and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian industries.
With the international recognition of its measurement capabilities, Nigeria is expected to strengthen the technical foundation required for credible product testing, industrial innovation and participation in global value chains.
The development represents a significant milestone in SON’s efforts to improve quality infrastructure and support the growth of local manufacturing, trade and investment.
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