The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged for the wider adoption of quality and energy-efficiency standards to make clean energy more affordable, protect consumers, and strengthen the country's industrial development. This call was made by the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, during the 2026 World Standards Day celebration in Abuja. The event's theme was "Standards: Vision for a Better World – Spotlight on SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy."
Dr Okeke emphasized that effective standards are essential to ensuring that energy technologies and products are safe, reliable, and affordable. He noted that standards could also help consumers reduce costs over time. According to Okeke, standards are not merely technical requirements but essential tools for building consumer confidence, supporting businesses, facilitating trade, and promoting national development.
The SON chief highlighted that the organisation has continued to develop and adopt standards across critical sectors, including energy management, transportation, food safety, and healthcare. These efforts aim to support Nigeria's development objectives. Okeke also disclosed that SON approved 80 standards in 2024 covering different aspects of the compressed natural gas (CNG) value chain.
The approved standards for CNG cover conversion kits, electrical connections, vehicle diagnostics, roadworthiness, vehicle safety, storage vessels, and refuelling stations. These measures are designed to ensure that the deployment of CNG as an alternative fuel meets established safety and reliability requirements. Okeke also highlighted SON's Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, known as SONMEL.
The SONMEL initiative provides consumers with information to make better purchasing decisions. It helps Nigerians distinguish between appliances that consume more energy and those that deliver better efficiency, enabling them to consider long-term operating costs rather than purchase prices alone. Okeke explained that energy-efficient appliances could offer greater savings over time, even when their initial purchase prices are higher.
Dr Okeke acknowledged that manufacturers might face costs associated with transitioning from existing technologies to more energy-efficient alternatives. However, he urged businesses to prioritise quality and comply with approved standards, particularly when manufacturing, importing, and selling electrical and electronic products. Okeke also highlighted the organisation's efforts to strengthen product authentication and traceability.
The SON boss declared the 2026 World Standards Day celebration open. Other speakers at the event, including the Nigerian Copyright Commission and Dr Maimuna Habib, President of the Female Farmers Apex Cooperative Society Ltd, emphasized the importance of standards, copyright protection, and access to affordable clean-energy technologies for women farmers and agribusinesses.
Key points
- The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) urges for wider adoption of quality and energy-efficiency standards.
- SON approved 80 standards in 2024 for the compressed natural gas (CNG) value chain.
- The organisation's efforts aim to support Nigeria's development objectives, including making clean energy more affordable.
