Standardizing Economic Sovereignty

LEGAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE STANDARDS ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA’S (SON) ROLE IN TRADE REGULATION AND THE NIGERIA FIRST POLICY

Moor Kuma Esq. Legal Service Department.

Achieving standardization of economic sovereignty requires a proper alignment of Nigeria’s economic policies with robust national standards to ensure competitiveness, compliance, and national integrity

In May 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled the ‘Nigeria First’ policy a bold assertion of economic sovereignty aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s economic priorities. The policy places a strong emphasis on promoting the purchase and usage of domestic goods and services, particularly within government procurement and public sector activities. Its core objectives are to strengthen Nigeria’s local industries, reduce dependence on imports, and accelerate industrialization through import substitutions.

More than just an economic directive, the Nigeria First policy represents a broader strategic shift: a reaffirmation of national control over economic direction and a commitment to building a self-reliant. production-driven economy. It is both a practical development agenda and a symbolic statement of the Nigerian government’s intent to prioritize its national interests in a globalized trade environment.

However, policy ambition alone is not enough to achieve meaningful results. For the Nigeria First initiative to succeed, the quality of locally produced goods and services must be able to meet local and internationally acceptable standards. Without this, the substitution of imported products for locally manufactured products would lack credibility and sustainability. This is where the Standards Organization of Nigeria’s (SON) critical role will be brought to bear.