President Tinubu Appoints Dr Chukwunonso Okeke as Director General of SON

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently announced the appointment of Chukwunonso Okeke as the new director general of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). This development was in line with the president's committed effort to ensure the safety, quality, and competitiveness of products and services in the country.

Dr. Okeke is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and has the criteria to bring growth to his new role. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy, a Master of Science in Accounting, a Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration.

He is an alumnus of the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka and the University of Nigeria in Nsukka.

Aside from having a strong background in finance, accounting, and taxation, he has leadership skills, having served as the past Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Services (IIRS).

The recent appointment of Okeke as the DG of SON comes as part of Tinubu's plans to revitalize the economy through the facilitation of small, medium, and large-scale industries.

After being appointed as the new DG, Okeke outlined his vision for SON, emphasising that “quality is a journey with no destination.”

He said that he would ensure that SON stood as the leading standardization body in Africa. His administrative priorities include: 

Enhancing Standards Development:  Okeke and his team will rigorously develop and implement standards in line with global best practices, fostering innovation and competitiveness within Nigerian industries.

Strengthening Regulatory Enforcement: The enforcement of standards is at the core of SON’s mission, and it will be intensified to ensure that substandard and unsafe products do not harm citizens or harm the reputation of Nigerian products and services.

Promoting International Trade: Dr Okeke intends to support Nigerian businesses in their efforts to compete effectively in the global market, fostering collaboration with industries and international partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products.

Embracing Technology: In an ever-evolving industrial landscape, technology plays a crucial role. Dr. Okeke will leverage technology to make SON’s operations more efficient, transparent, and adaptable to stakeholders’ needs.

President Bola Tinubu said that with the appointment of Dr Okeke and other appointees, he expects them to deliver the best in their field and produce great results.

The appointment of Dr Okeke is to take immediate effect as the director general of SON. His tenure is expected to bring a renewed focus on quality standards, safety, and economic growth within Nigeria.