In Major Milestone for Trade, NiNAS Joins African Quality Assurance Framework
Aboloma: implementation of national quality policy will boost FX accretion, global competitiveness, economic diversification
UK director: achievement opens doors for deeper UK-Nigeria collaboration across healthcare, food safety, industrial services
James Emejo in Abuja
In a landmark trade development, Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) has become a signatory to the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). By this achievement, NiNAS-accredited assessments are now accepted across Africa and globally through International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) frameworks, removing technical barriers to trade and unlocking new market access for Nigerian businesses.
Speaking at the launch of the NiNAS international recognition in Abuja, Chairman/Chief Executive, National Quality Council (NQC), Mr. Osita Aboloma, said the effective implementation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian National Quality Policy will lead to huge Foreign Exchange (FX) savings, resulting from patronage of competent, globally recognised local quality infrastructure services, and enhanced human capacity development and job creation.
The feat was made possible through strong UK support under the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme, which aligned with opportunities created by the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), and strengthened Nigerias integration into global value chains. It also created new opportunities for businesses and consumers, while reinforcing UKs commitment to inclusive trade through initiatives, such as Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
Aboloma stressed that the implementation of quality policy will also boost the economic diversification agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, adding that further development of all the legs of the NQI will create a pathway to increased global competitiveness.
UK Director, Trade Policy and Market Access for Africa, Hannah Barbosa, said the achievement opened doors for deeper UK-Nigeria collaboration across sectors, such as healthcare, food safety, and industrial services.
Barbosa said, The UK is proud to have supported Nigerias journey to global accreditation through the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme.
NiNAS recognition under AFRAC is a powerful testament to Nigerias commitment to international standards and trade facilitation.
Aboloma commended the patronage of NiNAS accreditation services to public and private sector operators in Nigeria, and pledged the unwavering commitment of NQC to the diligent implementation of the Nigerian National Quality Policy.
He said, We at the National Quality Council are honoured to be a part of todays celebration, being a great testimony to the pioneering efforts of Nigeria within the African Continent in the implementation of a Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) aimed at improving our nations competitive edge in regional, continental and global trade.
Todays celebration of NiNAS multiple international recognitions is a result of many years of diligent efforts to systematically develop its capacity and competence as one of the key legs of Nigerias National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), the others being Standardisation, Conformity Assessment, Metrology and Market Surveillance.
He also hailed the management and staff of NiNAS on the achievements, expressing deep appreciation to all development partners who supported NiNAS in the global recognition journey, particularly, the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office of the British Government and the British Standards Institution for the implementation of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), which delivered the accreditations.
The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Business and Trade, and the British Standards Institution (BSI) had provided technical assistance and strategic guidance to strengthen Nigerias quality infrastructure.
Under the AFRAC MRA, quality assessments conducted by NINAS-accredited bodies will now be recognised across Africa and internationally, supporting Nigerias National Quality Policy and positioning the country as a trusted player in global trade.
The milestone reflected years of dedicated work under the UK funded Standards Partnership Programme, which had supported institutions, such as NINAS, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and National Quality Council (NQC).
