Nigeria’s efforts to boost international trade and improve the competitiveness of its exports have received a major boost with the formal unveiling of the third phase of the Standards Partnership Programme.
The initiative is a UK-funded programme aimed at strengthening national quality infrastructure and aligning it with international best practices.
Implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in partnership with Nigeria’s National Quality Council (NQC), the programme is a key component of the UK Government’s broader strategy to enhance trade cooperation with developing economies. Backed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the initiative seeks to remove technical barriers to trade and foster inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Abuja yesterday, Trade Market Access Lead at the British High Commission, Simeon Umukoro, noted that the programme is not merely about documents and procedures but about making trade work better, faster, and more inclusively.
He added that the programme directly supports the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, particularly in removing technical barriers to trade and aligning Nigerian exports with global benchmarks.
Umukoro explained that a standout achievement has been the elevation of metrology, the science of measurement, as a core trade enabler in Nigeria.
This is unprecedented and reflects a shift in how technical tools are viewed within trade policy.
According to him, this shift is helping reduce the rejection of Nigerian products in international markets and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to tap into new trade channels under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides tariff-free access for over 3,500 Nigerian goods.
The project’s Lead Manager, Riccardo Benvenuti, explained that while the early phases concentrated on capacity building for public institutions, this third phase intensifies direct support to private sector players.
“We are working to make international standards more accessible to Nigerian enterprises, especially women-owned businesses, through coaching, technical training, and mentorship. The focus now is to ensure that the private sector is not just aware of standards, but is empowered to apply them to unlock trade potential,” he said.
He added that over 3,800 technical professionals have already been trained across 11 countries under the programme since late 2023, with Nigeria expected to be a key hub in the months ahead.
The British Standards Institution’s Knowledge Services Director, Richard Taylor, described the initiative as “a practical demonstration of how standards can drive growth and competitiveness.”
He noted that the BSI’s work in Nigeria is helping to create a ripple effect of awareness and reform, influencing everything from product certification to export readiness.”
The programme supports the implementation of Nigeria’s National Quality Policy by strengthening critical pillars such as standardisation, metrology, conformity assessment, and accreditation.
Historically treated as a technical background function, metrology is now being integrated into national trade policy as a core component of product certification and export readiness. This shift is helping to build trust in Nigerian goods and reduce discrepancies in product measurement and testing, which are common causes of border delays and market rejection.
Since its design phase in 2021, the programme has focused on capacity building for public institutions. However, its current phase places greater emphasis on the private sector. This includes technical training for enterprises, mentoring for women-led businesses, and awareness campaigns on the value of international standards in unlocking trade opportunities.
For Nigeria, the focus is now shifting toward implementation. While the National Quality Policy provides a solid framework, actual delivery requires coordination across government agencies and active participation from the private sector. Key institutions such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian National Accreditation System (NiNAS), and various metrology bodies are receiving targeted support to improve service delivery, streamline regulatory processes, and build stronger links with businesses.
