University of Ilorin Partners with SON to Drive Growth and Innovation

A historic partnership between the University of Ilorin and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is set to drive growth, innovation, and excellence in Nigeria.

The collaboration aims to leverage the expertise of the academic community to improve testing methodologies, provide hands-on experience in quality assurance and regulatory practices, and position Nigeria as a leader in quality assurance and product organization.

In his welcome address, the Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, noted that they are not just celebrating the formalization of a partnership but a strategic collaboration that will shape the future of standardization, quality assurance, and capacity building in Nigeria.

“At SON, we are committed to ensuring that our nation’s products, services, and industries meet the highest national and international standards.

“This commitment requires continuous research, innovation, and capacity building. It is in this spirit that we have partnered with the University of Ilorin, a distinguished institution known for academic excellence and research innovation, to strengthen our collective efforts in standardization, product testing, and quality control.

“This MoU represents a shared vision—one that seeks to foster knowledge exchange, drive research and development, and build a stronger foundation for compliance with standards across industries.

“Through this partnership, we will engage in joint research projects, training programs, curriculum development, laboratory collaborations, faculty and student exchange, and professional development initiatives.

“These activities will not only enhance the quality of Nigerian products and services but will also create opportunities for students and professionals to gain practical experience in the field of standardization.

“Furthermore, the collaboration will enable us to leverage the expertise of the academic community in refining and improving testing methodologies, while providing students with hands-on experience in real-world quality assurance and regulatory practices. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we are positioning Nigeria as a leader in quality assurance and product standardization on the global stage.”

The DG SON appreciated the management of the University of Ilorin for their vision, dedication, and commitment to this partnership as well as expressed his gratitude to the SON team and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to bring this MoU to fruition.

He explained that it will not only benefit the two institutions involved but will also contribute significantly to national development by improving product safety, consumer protection, and industrial competitiveness.

In his speech the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Technology & Innovation, Unilorin, who was represented by Dr. George Adeniyi, Deputy Director R&D, Unilorin, emphasized the importance of collaboration and research in driving growth and innovation during a recent speech.

He highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership, including enhanced research opportunities, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

According to him, the partnership is expected to have far-reaching impacts, contributing to national development, improving product safety, consumer protection, and industrial competitiveness.

He added that similar collaborations have been successful in other fields, such as healthcare and business.

The University of Ilorin’s vice chancellor expressed excitement about the opportunities this partnership will bring, particularly in terms of accessing SON’s vast resources.

The university, he said, aims to become a one-stop market for knowledge and intellectual resources, leveraging its global connections with scholars from various universities.

“With this partnership, the university’s students and researchers will gain access to state-of-the-art laboratories and testing mechanisms, enhancing their research capabilities.

“The collaboration is expected to yield tangible results, driving growth, innovation, and excellence in both the university and SON, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s national development,” he emphasized.