The Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite says successful and sustainable exports depend on compliance with quality requirements of standards for goods and services based on globally-recognised Quality Infrastructure.
Dr Uzoka-Anite said this during the 30th African Organisation For Standards ARSO General Assembly in Abuja hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria with the theme; “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century – Building a Quality Culture – “One Market, One Standard.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Amb. Nura Rimi stated that the theme articulates the essential role of standardisation in promoting sustainable development, innovation, export-oriented manufacturing and production.
According to her, “the theme draws my attention to the 21st Century symbiotic relationship between education, sustainable development, industrialisation and trade; with standardisation being a strategic pillar for us as a government, stakeholders and as well as the standardization community in general.
“This points out the need to equip the African youth with relevant skills and SMEs with innovative tendencies needed for the 21st Africa’s Industrial Development and Integration Agenda as provided under the AfCFTA so as to create awareness on the role of standardization in sustainable development to catch up with the rest of the world.” Dr Uzoka-Anite highlighted.
“The goal of my Ministry therefore is to reposition and revitalize the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth by exploring innovative strategies to bolster our nation’s economic sustainability as outlined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians,” she added.
The Director general of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke explained that stadardisation is not merely about setting guidelines but fostering a quality culture that permeates every aspect of life.
“It ensures that our products and services meet international benchmarks, enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade,It is about creating a unified market where quality is the norm, not the exception. This vision of “One Market, One Standard” is integral to achieving the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.
Also, the President of ARSO, Prof Alexander Dodoo, called on African countries to use the standard of trade to change the narrative for Africa.
“We have to create African solutions for African problems if not quality education will be meaningless, Our biggest challenge is our jobs, our youths are going across boarders in the new slave trade because we have not created meaningful jobs for them,” he added.
