Aboloma: National Quality Policy Will Unlock AfCFTA Benefits, Minimise Export Rejections

James Emejo in Abuja

The Chairman/Chief Executive, National Quality Council (NQC), Mr. Osita Aboloma, yesterday, said the implementation of the Nigeria National Quality Policy would unlock benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) for the country.

In a chat with journalists, he said the agency would assist in providing a supportive quality infrastructure which would consist of standards, metrology, accreditation, and conformity assessment services that must be acceptable globally to enhance the competitiveness of products and services made in Nigeria.
Aboloma, pointed out that without adhering to international standards, the country may not enjoy the benefits of the AfCFTA as products from Nigeria will continue to suffer rejection due to non-conformity with standards.

He said within the short-to-medium term, the agency would convene a stakeholders’ summit on the implementation of the quality policy and how it affects every facet of the economy.

He said, “We plan to have a national discourse across the country where we will be discussing the details of the National Quality Policy, how it affects the various sectors of the economy, and how it will improve our economy.
“We will also be doing gap analysis that will look at gathering data for every laboratory that exist in Nigeria whether government or privately owned, what they are testing and their capacity for those tests, do they have international accreditation, would their result be accepted in Togo for example since we are talking about AfCFTA.”

He added, “When we analyse where the gaps are, we can properly advise the government on what needs to be done in the short term, medium term, and long terms to ensure that trade and commerce within Nigeria, with our neigbouring countries and the rest of Africa and internationally, is going to benefit Nigeria.
“Those activities will generate jobs for the country, boost economic growth, and increase exports for Nigeria. So, it is the working of the National Quality Infrastructure that will guarantee business to function well and the products they are producing are giving people value for their money.”