The United Kingdom and Nigeria are strengthening their trade relations through quality standards. The two governments have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing Nigeria’s National Quality Policy (NNQP) to eliminate technical trade barriers, improve regulatory compliance, and enhance export competitiveness.
The initiative falls under Phase II of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), launched in June 2024 during the African Organization for Standards (ARSO) General Assembly in Abuja. The program aims to deliver a robust quality infrastructure focused on standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, emphasized the importance of a strong national quality infrastructure, stating, “Improving standards, metrology, and accreditation systems can boost non-oil exports, create jobs, and strengthen the naira.” He added, “This partnership with the UK is a major step forward in achieving these goals.”
Osita Aboloma, Chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), stressed the need for stakeholder collaboration, noting that an effective quality infrastructure would support the government’s economic agenda and enhance Nigerian products’ global competitiveness.
Dr. Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead at the UK Department for Business and Trade, reiterated Britain’s strong support for Nigeria’s economic diversification, saying, “The UK and Nigeria remain strategic partners in trade and investment. By improving Nigeria’s national quality infrastructure, we are unlocking new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.”