By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.
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In a landmark move set to redefine Nigeria’s position in the global market, the Nigerian National Accreditation System (NiNAS) has officially secured international recognition, a breakthrough that promises to drastically reduce the rejection of Nigerian exports and bolster the nation's economic sovereignty.
The achievement, confirmed on Monday, November 24, 2025, grants NiNAS signatory status on the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). This means that certificates, test results, and inspection reports issued by bodies accredited by NiNAS will now be accepted in over 140 member countries without the need for retesting or recertification.
The Director-General of NiNAS, Mr. Celestine Okanya, heralded the achievement as a transformative moment for Nigerian commerce. He stated that this milestone is a direct solution to the long-standing challenge of export rejections, particularly for agricultural commodities. According to a report from The Punch, Okanya emphasized that
using NiNAS-accredited services would technically achieve zero rejectionfor Nigerian exporters, as it provides internationally recognized proof of quality and safety (The Punch, 2025).
Breaking Down Technical Barriers to Trade
For years, Nigerian exporters, especially those in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, have faced significant hurdles. Products like sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and hibiscus, which are in high demand internationally, were often subjected to costly and time-consuming retesting upon arrival in foreign ports. This was because the local conformity assessment bodies—the laboratories and inspection companies that certify products—lacked international recognition.
This new status eliminates that redundant process. As explained in a detailed analysis by Nairametrics,
The recognition implies that henceforth, conformity assessment results (including certification, inspection, and test results) by NiNAS would be recognised and accepted in the economies of other ILAC/IAF signatories (Nairametrics, 2025).In practical terms, a bag of Nigerian cocoa certified by a NiNAS-accredited lab in Ibadan will be as valid as one certified in Berlin or Tokyo, streamlining the entire supply chain and enhancing buyer confidence.
Economic Implications and Cost Savings
The economic benefits of this achievement are projected to be substantial. By eliminating the need for overseas testing, Nigeria is poised to save millions of dollars in foreign exchange annually. The former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye, was quoted in The Guardian highlighting the financial drain this practice caused. She noted,
We used to take our products to other countries for testing. We take our agricultural products to Norway, the Netherlands, etc., for testing and we pay in dollars (The Guardian, 2025).This accreditation effectively brings that testing revenue and expertise back into the Nigerian economy, fostering local industry and creating jobs.
Furthermore, this development is a significant boost for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of the Nigerian economy. These smaller operators often lack the financial resilience to absorb the costs and delays associated with product rejections. The ILAC MRA status lowers a critical technical barrier, empowering them to compete on a level playing field in the international marketplace. This aligns perfectly with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), facilitating smoother intra-African trade.
A Milestone Built on Strategic Reform
The success of NiNAS did not occur in a vacuum. It is the result of a concerted effort by the federal government, guided by the Nigerian National Quality Infrastructure Project (NNQIP). The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Nonye Ayeni, reinforced the importance of this achievement, linking it directly to national economic priorities. He stated,
This is a significant milestone in our quest to ensure that Nigerian products and services are competitive in the international market (Vanguard, 2025).
The accreditation covers critical areas including testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies for management systems and products. This comprehensive scope ensures that a wide array of Nigerian industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to oil and gas, can leverage this new-found international trust.
As of November 24, 2025, Nigeria has not only secured a license to reduce export rejections but has also taken a giant leap towards economic self-reliance. The “Made in Nigeria” stamp, now backed by a globally recognized standard of quality, is set to become a more powerful and trusted symbol in markets across the world, paving the way for sustainable economic growth and diversification.
