MAN Hails SON’s Solar Project, Says Reliable Power Essential for Industrial Growth
MAN Hails SON’s Solar Project, Says Reliable Power Essential for Industrial Growth
The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has described the commissioning of the 200-kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power System at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Laboratory Complex as a major boost to Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness, sustainable manufacturing, and quality assurance infrastructure.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at Ogba in Lagos, Ajayi-Kadir congratulated the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), GIZ Nigeria, the European Union, and other development partners for delivering the renewable energy project, describing it as a landmark investment in Nigeria’s transition to an energy-efficient and climate-resilient economy.
According to him, the project extends beyond clean energy generation, representing a strategic investment in standards development, innovation, and industrial productivity that will strengthen consumer confidence in Made-in-Nigeria products.
He noted that the partnership between SON and NESP, implemented by GIZ, has continued to reinforce Nigeria’s quality infrastructure while improving standardisation and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Ajayi-Kadir stressed that reliable and affordable electricity remains fundamental to industrial growth, lamenting that manufacturers continue to grapple with unreliable public power supply and the rising cost of self-generated electricity from diesel, gas, and other alternatives.
He said the persistent energy challenge has driven up production costs, weakened the competitiveness of local manufacturers, discouraged investment, and slowed the expansion of the manufacturing sector.
The MAN Director-General said SON’s adoption of renewable energy sends a strong signal that Nigeria is committed to building a modern, resilient regulatory environment anchored on innovation and sustainability.
He added that the project strengthens SON’s leadership in implementing the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (SONMELS), promoting energy-efficiency standards that align with global environmental commitments while demonstrating operational excellence
Ajayi-Kadir also praised SON for maintaining close collaboration with manufacturers, noting that standards should not only protect consumers but also stimulate industrial innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.
Earlier, SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke described the solar project as another milestone in the agency’s partnership with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme, which began in 2018 through a Memorandum of Understanding with GIZ.
He explained that the collaboration has expanded beyond standards development to include laboratory infrastructure, conformity assessment, capacity building, and support for emerging sectors such as electric mobility.
Okeke disclosed that SON, with NESP’s support, has developed Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy-labelling requirements for key electrical appliances, laying the foundation for Nigeria’s mandatory energy-labelling scheme.
SON DG said the new solar-powered system will provide reliable electricity for the agency’s specialised air-conditioner calorimetric testing chamber—the first of its kind in Nigeria and a future reference testing centre for the West African sub-region—while significantly reducing dependence on diesel generators.
According to him, SON currently spends nearly ₦80 million annually on diesel and about ₦6.7 million on electricity, expressing confidence that the renewable energy system will generate substantial savings for other critical operations.
Representing the Minister of Power, Dr. Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Owolabi Sunday described the project as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, industrial competitiveness, climate resilience, and economic transformation.
The minister said the solar installation demonstrates how public institutions can reduce energy costs, improve operational efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and boost investor confidence through improved quality infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, represented by Engr. Muhammad Ishaya said supporting SON is critical to advancing Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, noting that standards remain essential to quality assurance, consumer protection, and economic development.
She commended GIZ, the European Union, and the German Government for supporting Nigeria’s quality infrastructure through renewable energy initiatives, expressing optimism that the SON solar project would serve as a model for wider adoption of clean energy solutions across public institutions.
