The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has advised Nigerians to examine energy labels on electrical and electronic appliances before purchasing them to avoid higher electricity costs over time.
The Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Okeke, said energy-efficient appliances might have higher purchase prices but could prove more economical in the long run because of their lower energy consumption.
Okeke gave the advice in Abuja on Saturday during the 2026 World Standards Day celebration, themed “Standards: Vision for a Better World, Spotlight on SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.”
He explained that SON’s Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, known as SONMEL, was introduced to provide consumers with information about the energy performance of appliances and support informed purchasing decisions.
According to him, consumers who consider only the initial cost of an appliance risk spending more on electricity throughout its lifespan.
“When you buy an item, usually an electrical or electronic item, they have different energy levels. You can buy some; let me use a typical example: the old bulbs we had in the past. When you buy that bulb, it seems to be cheaper, but it consumes more,” he said.
Okeke added that energy labels would help buyers compare products and understand their expected energy consumption before making a purchase.
“So, if you are going to buy something expensive, you know that over a period of time, the utilisation, the cost to you will be less,” he said.
The SON chief acknowledged that manufacturers might face initial financial and technological challenges in transitioning from existing production systems to energy-efficient alternatives.
He said the process could require investments in new equipment, staff training, research and development, among other resources.
“I think the reasons why companies are not easily willing to transition to energy-efficient products are because of the technology. Because you now need to move from the existing technology you have to the new technology,” Okeke said.
However, he maintained that adopting more efficient production methods did not necessarily translate into higher manufacturing costs over time, describing the transition as a decision to embrace improved technology.
Okeke also urged traders, marketers and business owners to stock and sell products that carry appropriate SON certification marks, noting that the labels indicate compliance with approved quality and safety standards.
“The SON certification logos are a symbol of quality, safety, and conformity with approved standards. I therefore encourage you to make it a point of duty to buy, stock, and sell only products that carry appropriate SON certification logos,” he said.
He added that the organisation was working to improve public recognition of its certification marks and had introduced digital services to make standards information and product authentication more accessible.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Female Farmers Apex Cooperative Society, Dr Maimuna Habib, called for improved access to affordable clean-energy technologies for women involved in agriculture, livestock production and market trading.
Habib, a veterinarian and former Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, said dependable energy supplies could help women farmers reduce post-harvest losses, preserve food quality, increase productivity and improve their earnings.
She particularly highlighted the importance of refrigeration and energy for processing and storing agricultural produce.
“Solar-powered refrigeration, clean energy for agro-processing, and reliable renewable energy systems can help women reduce losses, preserve food quality, improve productivity, and increase their incomes,” she said.
