EU Commends Metrology Institute for Compliance with Global Standards

The European Union (EU) has commended the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for its rapid transformation and adherence to international best practices.

Mr Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Abuja, overseeing Nigeria and West Africa, gave the commendation on Thursday in Enugu during an inspection tour of the NMI Headquarters at Emene Industrial Layout.

Leading an EU delegation, De Luca praised SON’s NMI for its outstanding achievements and longstanding reputation. He noted that the EU was keen to understand how the NMI had evolved, as quality infrastructure remains a key area of support from the Union.

According to him, the EU is set to launch a new regional programme on Quality Infrastructure in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). This initiative will focus on specific industrial products and opportunities in the region, laying the groundwork for reinvestment in industrial metrology.

De Luca encouraged the NMI to integrate industrial metrology into the procedures of industrial products and services to drive national development. He emphasised the need for closer collaboration between the NMI and the industry to establish a strong synergy.

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“The EU is committed to supporting Quality Infrastructure through its implementation partner, UNIDO, covering areas such as standards, accreditation, calibration, certification, and industrial metrology,” he said.

Welcoming the EU delegation, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, expressed his appreciation for the visit and the opportunity to showcase the institute’s progress since the last EU delegation visit.

Represented by Mr Samuel Ayuba, Head of NMI Operations, Okeke highlighted the significant advancements made in quality service delivery since the NMI relocated to its permanent site.

“For years now, the NMI has made considerable and measurable progress in laboratory and equipment upgrades, accreditations, and staff capacity building, ensuring its continued excellence and mandate delivery,” he stated.

The visit concluded with a tour of the NMI’s infrastructure and laboratories, including Mass, Pressure, Electrical, Chemistry, Length/Dimension, and Flow, as well as Mobile Laboratory Vans and Forklift Automobiles at the SON Complex in Emene, Enugu

The EU is a key sponsor of the NMI’s Quality Infrastructure through its implementing partner, UNIDO, a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting industrial and sustainable development globally.