The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced a new collaboration with the office of the First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, aimed at fostering economic inclusion, enterprise development, and community resilience across the state.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to Her Excellency by SON’s Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, who was represented by the Niger State Office 1, Minna Coordinator, Mrs. Hauwa Nuhu Yusufu. The visit took place in Minna and was used to convey goodwill, express condolences over recent security challenges in the state, and explore areas for joint action in advancing women’s empowerment initiatives led by the First Lady.
During the engagement, Mrs. Yusufu highlighted SON’s mandate to support local industries and explained the organisation’s ongoing Entrepreneurship Support Programme. She said the programme has seen over 300 products certified under the MANCAP and PIS schemes, a development that has helped open access to both local and international markets for small businesses.
Mrs. Yusufu encouraged entrepreneurs in the state to take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that adherence to standards is critical for growth and sustainability. “Standardisation is key to ensuring that regulatory activities thrive, which in turn, will help to sustain the impact of the First Lady’s empowerment programmes,” she remarked.
As part of the visit, the SON delegation presented a Letter of Appreciation to the First Lady for her attendance at the recent official opening of the SON Niger State Office. Copies of the SON Act 2015 and other organisational publications were also handed over during the meeting.
In her response, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago thanked the delegation for the visit and commended SON for improving its operations in Niger State. She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with the organisation to improve the livelihoods of women and local communities through sustained collaboration.
The delegation was received by Her Excellency alongside senior officials, including the Commissioners for Women Affairs and for Culture and Tourism. The partnership is expected to boost resilience.
