In a significant boost for Nigeria's non-oil export sector, the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NINAS) has achieved international recognition that will transform how Nigerian products enter global markets. This groundbreaking development means Nigerian export test results and quality certificates will now be accepted in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Massive Foreign Exchange Savings for Exporters
The recognition is expected to save Nigeria millions of dollars in foreign exchange by eliminating the costly practice of exporters sending product samples to Europe for conformity assessments. For years, Nigerian exporters, particularly those in the food and manufacturing sectors, had been forced to undertake this expensive process that drained scarce foreign exchange and significantly slowed the export cycle.
Osita Aboloma, Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Quality Council, confirmed that exporters previously spent substantial amounts seeking duplicate assessments in countries like Norway and the Netherlands. This reform represents a major step forward in President Bola Tinubu's efforts to expand non-oil exports and strengthen Nigeria's position in international trade.
International Accreditation Framework Achievement
The breakthrough came through NINAS's successful admission into key international frameworks, including the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). This triple accreditation means certificates issued by Nigerian laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies accredited by NINAS will now carry international weight.
Celestine Okanya, NINAS Director-General, emphasized that Nigeria has now joined an elite group of African countries with internationally recognized accreditation systems. He stated that this development will sharply reduce export rejections linked to testing products in non-accredited laboratories, although some rejections may still occur due to other factors.
Game Changer for MSMEs and Global Trade
The recognition is particularly significant for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that often face strict technical requirements in international markets. With this new status, these businesses can now compete more effectively on the global stage without the burden of additional testing costs and delays.
Hannah Barbosa, the UK's Director of Trade Policy and Market Access for Africa, described the development as a "game changer" that will reduce technical trade barriers and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria. She noted that the recognition will unlock significant opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The timing coincides with strong performance in Nigeria's non-oil export sector, which reached $1.791 billion in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 24.7% growth compared to the $1.436 billion recorded in the same period last year. Export volumes also increased from 1.937 million metric tonnes in Q1 2024 to 2.416 million metric tonnes in Q1 2025.
This accreditation breakthrough forms part of the broader Nigerian National Quality Policy, which aims to establish a globally competitive quality infrastructure covering standardisation, metrology, accreditation, and market surveillance. The development marks a crucial milestone in Nigeria's journey toward economic diversification and enhanced global trade competitiveness.
