MEMAN Hosts Webinar on Petroleum Product Standardization in Nigeria
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) recently hosted a webinar titled The Future of Petroleum Product Quality in Nigeria to discuss the standardization of petroleum products in the country. The event featured Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), who was represented by Pankes Clement Paul. The discussion focused on the Specification and Standardization of Petroleum Products: Challenges and Prospects.
SON’s Role in Petroleum Product Standardization
As Nigeria’s apex standard agency, SON plays a vital role in coordinating and overseeing standardization, quality assurance, testing, and metrology. The agency is mandated to establish and enforce standards on various commodities, including petroleum products, which are essential for industries, transportation, and domestic activities.
Paul emphasized that ensuring petroleum products meet acceptable quality standards remains a challenge. SON is at the forefront of enforcing industrial standards to guarantee the safety, quality, and environmental compliance of these products.
Importance of Standardization
Paul highlighted that specification and standardization are not just regulatory formalities but crucial consumer protection measures. Substandard petroleum products can damage engines, increase fuel consumption, and raise maintenance costs. Moreover, maintaining quality standards enhances economic growth by improving efficiency in the industrial and transportation sectors.
From an environmental perspective, poor-quality petroleum products contribute to increased emissions and pollution. Standardization helps mitigate these effects, promoting sustainability. Furthermore, it ensures fair trade practices, curbing adulteration and fostering a level playing field for businesses.
SON’s Efforts and Collaborations
SON aligns its petroleum product standards with global benchmarks such as ISO and ASTM to ensure compliance. The agency also conducts testing services and certification to verify product quality. Market surveillance efforts, in collaboration with relevant agencies, help ensure that only compliant products reach consumers.
A key partnership exists between SON and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which regulates the downstream sector. This collaboration helps ensure a smooth regulatory process, providing value for both businesses and consumers.
Challenges in Standardization
Despite SON’s efforts, challenges persist. Fuel adulteration remains a major issue, exacerbated by porous borders that allow the influx of substandard petroleum products. However, the MoU between SON and NMDPRA aims to bridge policy gaps and strengthen regulatory enforcement.
To address these challenges, SON has adopted strategic measures such as:
- Strengthening regulatory compliance mechanisms.
- Enhancing collaboration with security agencies.
- Investing in testing and research tools, including a dedicated petroleum products laboratory and potential deployment of mobile testing units.
- Leveraging technology for quality control, including tracking systems to monitor product movement from tank farms to retailers, reducing the risk of adulteration.
- Partnering with industry stakeholders like MEMAN to ensure widespread adherence to standards.
Call to Action for Industry Stakeholders
Paul encouraged MEMAN members to actively participate in the development of petroleum product standards. SON is also working with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate the public about the importance of demanding quality products and reporting substandard petroleum offerings.
Conclusion
Petroleum product standardization is not just a regulatory necessity—it is an economic and environmental imperative. As Nigeria seeks to optimize its energy sector, SON’s role in enforcing specifications and quality assurance remains critical.
With robust policies, technological innovation, and industry-wide cooperation, Nigeria can build a petroleum sector that is safe, efficient, and globally competitive.
