SON DG: Rebranded MANCAP Logo to Combat Counterfeit, Reinforce Maintenance of Standards

·                 MAN says Africa must rid itself of non-tariff-based barriers to trade

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Director General (DG) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, has said the newly rebranded logo of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) was targeted at combating counterfeit and reinforcing the organisation’s authority and commitment to the maintenance of the highest standards.

This was just as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) highlighted the need for Africa to rid itself of non-tariff based barriers, noting otherwise the continent would create a market for Asia and America.

Okeke stated this in Lagos, yesterday at the unveiling of its rebranded SON MANCAP logo.

He said that the rebranding initiative was strategically aligned with the broader national objective of enhancing the visibility and recognition of, “quality-certified Nigerian products, both within our domestic market and the international arena.”

According to him, “The branding of the MANCAP logo is not simply a change of aesthetics, it represents a new dedication to quality assurance and a proactive response to the evolving challenges confronting us, including the pressing need to combat counterfeiting and streamline the process for our valued manufacturers.

“The redesigned MANCAP logo encapsulates our core values and mission. Its contemporary design speaks to the progress and innovation while the prominent placements of the SON name reinforces our authority and steadfast commitment to the maintenance of the highest standards.

“This new logo will serve as a veritable symbol of quality, providing assurance to consumers regarding the excellence of products bearing its mark.

“For our esteemed manufacturers, the new MANCAP logo represents a badge of honor, signifying compliance with product’s quality benchmarks and a dedication to the pursuit of excellence. It will undoubtedly enhance their brand recognition and foster consumer confidence.

“For our discerning consumers, which is the customers in this case, it offers the assurance and peace of mind that comes from knowing that the products they purchase are safe and reliable.

“The rebranded MANCAP logo is more than a mere symbol. It is a testament to our shared commitment to quality, integrity and sustainable progress.

“Therefore, I invite all manufacturers to embrace the new logo and accord it the prominence it deserves on their products.

“I would encourage all consumers to actively seek out the logo when making their purchasing decisions. And finally, I call upon all stakeholders to continue working hand in hand to build a future where Nigerian products are synonymous with quality and global competitiveness,” he said.

Making his presentation, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said considering global geopolitics, Africa must produce what it consumes.

According to him, “We are at the threshold of unleashing the Intra-African Trade Fair, which is coming up in Algiers. And one of the key issues that will be discussed is how to ensure that we consume what we produce in Africa and our industries need to be able to achieve this.

“Otherwise, we would have created a market of 1.5 billion people for Asia, America, and Europe to explore if we do not ensure that our qualitative products can have market assets. “Now, this is very important, that we can streamline our standardisation process such that they become acceptable across the continent.

“I think we need to deepen that in such a way that we do not have standards as a barrier to market penetration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) because we do know that we have weak countries that don’t have institutions.

“Now, I am talking about the importance of ensuring that we rid ourselves of non-tariff-based barriers to trade.”

Ajayi-Kadir warned that such weak countries may be influenced through third-country infiltration to use standards to restrict trade.