The Oyo State Government has announced its intention to deepen collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to stem the tide of sub-standard steel and iron rods circulating in the market.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, gave the assurance while receiving a SON delegation led by the Special Assistant to the Director-General/Chief Executive of SON on Strategic Support, Mr Manji Pius, in his office at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.

Adebisi said the partnership will promote public safety, quality assurance, and sustainable industrial development in the state.

The commissioner said the state government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, had increasingly turned its attention to enforcing building and engineering standards.

He lauded SON for its proactive role in safeguarding lives and strengthening industrial integrity through the enforcement of product standards nationwide.

Adebisi emphasised that Oyo State aligns fully with the organisation’s mission, describing quality assurance as a critical component of the state’s economic and industrial growth agenda.

“We appreciate the efforts of SON, especially in addressing issues that affect the safety and confidence of our people. The Ministry is fully ready to partner with you to ensure that substandard products are eradicated from our market.”

He urged SON to consider Oyo State as a strategic location for its proposed laboratory complex, citing the state’s industrial potential and growing reputation as a hub for manufacturing and trade in the South-West region.

The commissioner further highlighted that “Made-in-Oyo” products have continued to attract both national and international attention, especially during trade exhibitions such as the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria, where Oyo-made goods drew significant foreign interest.

He stressed that maintaining product quality and standardisation would further enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers in global markets.

The Commissioner assured that the Ministry would support the process once a formal request is made for land allocation, adding that the establishment of such a facility would enhance regulatory efficiency and attract further investment into the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade, described SON’s initiative as crucial to ensuring industrial growth and public safety.

He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to supporting SON’s mandate, adding that the Ministry would work closely with the organisation through a joint technical committee to develop practical strategies for collaboration, quality monitoring, and public sensitisation.

In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Director-General/Chief Executive of SON on Strategic Support, Mr Manji Pius, said the visit was aimed at seeking partnership with the Oyo State Government to curb the circulation of low-quality steel materials that have contributed to the alarming rate of building collapses across the country.

He explained that SON’s ongoing nationwide campaign was designed to combat the proliferation of substandard steel and iron rods, one of the major causes of building collapses in Nigeria.

He disclosed that investigations have revealed that over 85 per cent of collapsed buildings in the country were linked to the use of undersized or low-quality reinforcement bars.

According to him, the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 empowers the organisation to set and enforce standards for all manufactured and imported products in Nigeria, including steel and construction materials.

“SON has been carrying out regular inspections and enforcement exercises to ensure that only products that meet the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS 117) are allowed in the market,” he stated.

Mr Pius also highlighted that standardisation plays a critical role in Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as only products that meet approved national and continental standards will qualify for intra-African trade.