SON issues warnings on fake, substandard electric cables, tyres and more imported into the country
Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has raised concerns over the growing influx of counterfeit and substandard products in key markets nationwide.
According to Dr. Okeke, these items are being brought into the country by individuals he labeled as economic saboteurs.
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He issued the warning during the destruction exercise of substandard tyres, electric cables, spark plugs, and other unsafe products valued in the billions of naira, carried out in Lagos.
Represented by Mr. Manji Pious, Director of the Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate at IMAN, Dr. Okeke stated that the destruction aligns with SON’s mission to curb the entry and circulation of fake goods in Nigeria.
Despite the agency’s efforts, he lamented the continued importation of hazardous products, expressing frustration over the persistent disregard for consumer safety.
He further noted that SON does not take pleasure in destroying confiscated items, as it has broader economic implications, including a negative impact on the nation’s foreign reserves. However, he emphasized that the agency has a duty to prevent dangerous goods from reaching the public due to the risks they pose to lives and property.
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He said:
“This action is not just an administrative formality, it is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to public safety, consumer protection, and the promotion of fair trade practices in Nigeria.
“This destruction has led to a lot of economic losses because the traders not only lose their money from the sources but also the goods that are destroyed.”
He further explained that the organisation has been conducting awareness campaigns to educate traders on the significant losses they and the nation incur from dealing in fake and substandard products, as well as to guide them on how to properly engage in the importation of genuine and quality goods.
The DG further stated that the destroyed items included stuffed tyres, spark plugs, steel doors, and cables — all of which failed conformance tests and posed significant risks to the health and safety of Nigerians.
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