Nigeria’s export sector has received a significant uplift with the launch of the third phase of the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme, a bilateral initiative designed to eliminate trade barriers and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in international markets—particularly in the United Kingdom.
According to The PUNCH, the partnership, backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and implemented through the British Standards Institution, aims to deepen Nigeria’s integration into the global trade system by improving product standards, accreditation, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking at the launch event held Thursday, stakeholders disclosed that over 3,500 Nigerian products now enjoy zero tariff access to the UK under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
This scheme is expected to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises, local manufacturers, and agribusinesses looking to penetrate global markets.
“This is a strategic move that will drastically reduce the cost of Nigerian goods in the UK market, enhance competitiveness, and open doors for our SMEs and agricultural producers,” said Osita Aboloma, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Quality Council.
Aboloma added that the Standards Partnership Programme will directly support Nigeria’s National Quality Policy by strengthening core pillars such as standardisation, accreditation, metrology, and conformity assessment.
“The partnership is being undertaken between the UK Government and Nigeria through the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office and the National Quality Council,” he explained.
“It will significantly ease the process of importing and exporting between both countries and play a vital role in job creation, economic growth, and improved social welfare,” he stated.
The programme, which was officially launched in 2023 across 11 countries and regions, focuses on creating sustainable and inclusive trade growth through the adoption of international standards.
Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead at the UK High Commission, noted one of the standout outcomes of the partnership has been the promotion of metrology—the science of measurement—as a vital tool for ensuring product quality and boosting trade competitiveness.
“Metrology has become a cornerstone in our efforts to standardise Nigerian exports, especially in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing where quality assurance is crucial,” Umukoro said.
The initiative also reflects growing British investor interest in Nigeria and Africa at large, driven by the continent’s abundant resources and market potential.
Nigerian officials believe the Standards Partnership will strengthen the institutional capacity of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and Nigerian National Accreditation Service, ultimately boosting the country’s readiness for global commerce.
As Nigeria continues to diversify its economy beyond oil, the zero-duty access to thousands of its products in the UK is expected to further energise local industries and support the government’s push for non-oil exports.
“This isn’t just about paperwork and policies. It’s about enabling Nigerian products to stand side by side with the best in the world,” Aboloma concluded.