SON Publishes MANCAP-Certified Products Online to Combat Counterfeiting, Boost Local Manufacturing
The initiative provides consumers with an online verification resource while encouraging Nigerian manufacturers, particularly SMEs, to embrace product certification and quality standards to improve market competitiveness.
LAGOS, November 9, 2026
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has published a list of products certified under its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) on its official website to help consumers identify genuine Nigerian-made products and guard against counterfeit and substandard goods.
The Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, disclosed this during the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, in Iganmu, Lagos.
Okeke, who was represented at the event by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Talatu Ethan, explained that making the list publicly accessible would enable consumers to verify certified products and make more informed purchasing decisions.
According to him, the initiative would improve access to information on products that have satisfied established quality requirements while rewarding manufacturers committed to regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
He urged Nigerians to visit SON’s official website to access the list of certified products and report goods bearing fake or questionable SON certification marks.
SON’s participation at CANEX WKND 2026 also provided an opportunity to strengthen awareness of product quality assurance among manufacturers, entrepreneurs, creative industry operators and consumers.
Speaking on the importance of certification, Okeke observed that many small businesses and creative enterprises produce quality goods but lack adequate information about the procedures and requirements for obtaining official product certification.
He noted that compliance with recognised standards could improve the acceptance of locally manufactured products, strengthen consumer confidence and create opportunities for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand into wider domestic and international markets.
At its exhibition stand, SON officials engaged exhibitors and visitors on the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), providing guidance on product quality requirements and the organisation’s certification processes.
Participants also received information on MANCAP, which applies to locally manufactured products, and the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP), which covers imported products.
The awareness sessions further addressed how consumers can identify substandard and counterfeit goods, authenticate SON certification marks and report suspicious products. SMEs were also guided on the certification process, including application procedures, product testing and final approval.
The online publication of MANCAP-certified products represents an important step towards improving transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s manufacturing and retail value chains.
For compliant manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the initiative provides an opportunity to differentiate their products from substandard alternatives, build market credibility and strengthen consumer loyalty.
Access to recognised product certification can also improve the prospects of businesses seeking to enter larger distribution networks and regional and international markets, where quality assurance and conformity with established standards are important considerations for market access.
However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend on sustained public awareness, regular updates of the published database and consumers’ willingness to verify certification claims before purchasing products.
Okeke emphasised the need for Nigerian manufacturers to ensure that their products meet international quality standards to improve the competitiveness and global acceptance of locally produced goods.
He also linked SON’s quality assurance efforts to the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy, which prioritises local production and seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
The initiative forms part of SON’s broader efforts to promote quality consciousness, protect consumers against substandard products and encourage manufacturers to embrace standards that support industrial growth, sustainable production and economic development.
Edited by Rosemary Aiyenale
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
