What the New UK Deal Means for Nigerian Traders and Exporters

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have launched the Standards Partnership Programme to strengthen trade relations and drive sustainable growth through international quality standards.

Both countries unveiled the initiative at a major event in Abuja, with support from the British Standards Institution and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Richard Taylor, the Director of Knowledge Services at BSI, explained that the programme would help Nigerian businesses unlock new markets.

He stressed that adopting international standards would boost competitiveness and create measurable progress across industries.

Moreover, he emphasized that private sector firms could use these standards to access export opportunities more easily.

Simeon Umukoro, who leads Trade Market Access at the FCDO, reaffirmed the UK’s strong commitment to Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, aligning Nigeria’s systems with global quality benchmarks remains key to unlocking shared prosperity.

He noted that quality infrastructure boosts trade and strengthens investor confidence.

Osita Aboloma, Chairman of the National Quality Council, welcomed the programme and thanked the UK Government for its inclusive approach.

He stated that Nigerian businesses, especially those in export-focused industries, stand to benefit from this alignment.

Furthermore, he explained that the National Quality Council would ensure that every part of the value chain reflects global standards.

Riccardo Benvenuti, the BSI project lead, revealed that the programme directly supports the National Quality Policy.

He said the UK Government selected Nigeria as one of its 11 key global partners.

In addition, he mentioned that the pilot sectors include leather, cashew, tea, and coffee, which require urgent quality interventions.

Celestine Okanya, Director General of the Nigerian National Accreditation System, confirmed that the programme helped Nigeria complete a major international peer review.

He announced that Nigeria’s accreditation system now meets global standards.

As a result, Nigerian exporters will avoid costly retesting abroad, saving both time and money.

He added that this progress would improve Nigeria’s export credibility, especially in the UK and US markets.

The UK Government has already invested £3 million in this global initiative. Since 2023, it has implemented the programme in over 11 countries, including Nigeria.

The goal is to increase international standards usage, build inclusive trade systems, and enhance product quality. Nigeria’s involvement marks a major step forward in building export-ready industries that meet global demand.

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