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A major effort in Nigeria’s quest to secure wider acceptance for its goods and services on the global stage and elevate the credibility of its quality assurance systems has achieved, with he Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) officially becoming a signatory to the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
This key achievement means that NiNAS-accredited assessments will now be recognised across Africa and globally through the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF), eliminating long-standing technical barriers to trade and widening international market access for Nigerian products and services.
The announcement was made in Abuja during the launch of NiNAS’ international recognition, where Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Quality Council (NQC), Mr. Osita Aboloma, described the feat as a transformative moment in Nigeria’s economic diversification drive.
According to him, the effective implementation of the Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) will lead to “huge Foreign Exchange (FX) savings” by encouraging the patronage of competent, world-class local quality infrastructure services rather than foreign alternatives.
Aboloma emphasised that such savings would be complemented by improved job creation, stronger human capacity and a higher degree of global competitiveness for Nigerian industries.
He noted that further strengthening all pillars of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), standardisation, conformity assessment, metrology and market surveillance, would create a sustainable pathway toward boosting Nigeria’s value-added exports and integrating local producers into global value chains.
He stated, “The implementation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian National Quality Policy will lead to huge FX savings resulting from patronage of competent, globally recognised local quality infrastructure services, and enhanced human capacity development and job creation.”
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The international milestone was achieved with strong backing from the United Kingdom under the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme, a technical collaboration aligned with the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP). The UK support not only accelerated the strengthening of Nigeria’s quality infrastructure but also expanded opportunities for businesses and consumers, deepening the UK’s commitment to inclusive and mutually beneficial trade through initiatives such as the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The UK Director for Trade Policy and Market Access for Africa, Hannah Barbosa, highlighted the strategic value of NiNAS’ global endorsement. She said the development “opened doors for deeper UK-Nigeria collaboration across sectors such as healthcare, food safety and industrial services.”
Barbosa added, “The UK is proud to have supported Nigeria’s journey to global accreditation through the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme. NiNAS recognition under AFRAC is a powerful testament to Nigeria’s commitment to international standards and trade facilitation.”
Aboloma credited the success to years of careful, dedicated work aimed at strengthening NiNAS as a central pillar of the NQI. He commended the organisation’s management and staff, as well as the development partners whose technical assistance and strategic support helped secure the accreditation. These partners include the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Business and Trade, and the British Standards Institution (BSI), all of whom provided critical guidance throughout the capacity-building process.
“We at the National Quality Council are honoured to be a part of today’s celebration. It is a great testimony to the pioneering efforts of Nigeria within the African continent in the implementation of a Nigerian National Quality Policy aimed at improving our nation’s competitive edge in regional, continental and global trade, Aboloma stated”.
With NiNAS now recognised under AFRAC’s MRA, quality assessments conducted by NiNAS-accredited bodies will enjoy full international acceptance. This removes duplication of testing, cuts transaction costs, and enhances the credibility of Nigerian exports. The arrangement further reinforces Nigeria’s position as a trusted player in global commerce, helping businesses gain easier access to lucrative markets and strengthening investor confidence in the country’s regulatory systems.
The milestone reflects many years of coordinated institutional development supported by the UK-funded Standards Partnership Programme, which also benefited the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Quality Council (NQC). Together, these institutions are expected to drive a new era of quality-driven economic growth, opening the doors for Nigeria to compete more effectively on the continental and global stage.
