The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Aboloma, has described quality assurance as a critical element for the growth of any nation.

A statement from the agency said Aboloma made the submission during an interactive session with freight forwarders and clearing agents in Kano.

He said the realisation of the importance of quality control had been a major driver of the SON’s standardisation campaigns.

He said Nigeria was endowed with immense potential but that such potential could only be maximised with quality control and standardisation mechanisms in place.

“As the apex standardisation agency, it is the duty of SON to safeguard Nigerians from the dangers of substandard products; that is why I urge Nigerians to get involved in the campaign. We need the collaboration of other Nigerians to do the job,” he said.

Aboloma noted that part of the current administration of the agency’s main agenda was to facilitate trade, adding that the collaboration of all towards Nigeria’s economic development had become imperative, especially now that the Federal Government was redirecting its focus to non-oil exports, with agriculture and Small and Medium Enterprises as key drivers.

He said, “I want you people to further partner SON in the effort toward trade and business facilitation. If we can do this, Nigeria will be a better place for all of us. If government is determined to create an enabling environment for business, we should take up the challenge and let the change start with us.

“We must all work together, and make sure we combat the menace of substandard products. We must change from being officials to being trade facilitators; that is what Nigerians expect from us.”

The DG said his passionate support for the SMEs was because of their potential to create jobs, fight crime and contribute to the economic development of the country.