23rd April, 2023
By Lucy Ogalue
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reiterated its commitment to continually drive initiatives that promote the development of Halal Products Standards.
Mallam Farouk Salim, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SON, said this at the Validation Meeting of the Final Draft Report on the Roadmap and Operational Framework for the Development of the Halal Industry in Nigeria.
According to him, this would be done in line with internationally-accepted Standards for both domestic and foreign consumers.
Represented by the Head Halal Desk, Mrs Amina Haliru, the director-general emphasised the crucial role of standardisation in achieving the set goal.
He analysed the steps taken by SON to ensure that globally-accepted standards were developed or adopted for the Nigerian Halal Industry.
Thereafter, he examined steps that would ensure that products and services met the right specifications and delivered consumers’ expectations, to enable access and acceptance in international markets.
Salim noted that SON has constituted a team to interface with relevant agencies and stakeholders to develop an operational framework for the kick-off of the Halal industry in Nigeria.
He explained that the roadmap and milestones outlined by the committee to get a functioning Halal industry in Nigeria would open Nigeria to the world.
“It will lead to a boost in the Nigerian economy because the Halal Global Market is valued at trillions of dollars,’’ he said.
Furthermore, he said that the Organisation had established a Training Center in Kano where all training on Halal Certifications would be held so Nigerian businesses and Industries could partake in the Halal Sector.
Meanwhile, Amb. Maryam Katagum, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, applauded the committee on the strides achieved thus far.
Katagum noted that the kick-off of the Industry would be useful in the ministry’s mandate of facilitating trade and growing the Nigerian industrial sector.
She then assured the Ministry’s commitment to continue supporting the programme in every way possible.
Participants include representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NINAS).
Others are National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN); other SON officials among others.
NAN