Enoh Blames Poor Quality for Weak Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Goods

Senator John Enoh, Nigeria's Minister of State for Industry, has identified quality assurance concerns as the primary barrier to the wider adoption of locally manufactured goods. Speaking at the unveiling of the Digital Standards Platform (DSP) in Abuja, Enoh stressed that consumers will embrace Nigerian products when they consistently meet acceptable quality benchmarks, moving beyond mere patriotism.

The DSP, an initiative by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), aims to bolster product standards, rebuild consumer trust, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers in both domestic and international markets. Enoh emphasized that quality is the bedrock of industrialization and national competitiveness, stating that an economy's progress is intrinsically linked to the standard of its output.

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Quality is what turns patronage into preference.

This new platform represents a significant advancement in Nigeria's quality infrastructure. It offers businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), streamlined digital access to Nigerian Industrial Standards, certification services, and compliance tools. Previously, obtaining these resources was often difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. The minister highlighted that the DSP aligns with President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda" and the "Nigeria First Policy."

Enoh further explained that standards serve as the "language of trust" in any economy, as confidence among consumers, investors, and trading partners hinges on the credibility of products and services. The platform is designed to dismantle bureaucratic hurdles that have deterred businesses from adhering to standards, transforming quality assurance from a regulatory burden into a competitive advantage. By integrating the DSP into public procurement, government institutions can verify standards before awarding contracts, ensuring better value, durability, and accountability in public spending.

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standards remained the “language of trust” in every economy, explaining that confidence among consumers, investors and trading partners depends largely on the credibility of products and services.