By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has intensified its engagement with the Master Bakers Association of Nigeria, Sokoto Branch, urging bakers to embrace quality standards, obtain valid Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification and comply with the discontinuation of the old MANCAP logo.
At the sensitisation meeting held at the SON Sokoto State Office Complex, the Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, who was represented by the newly posted State Coordinator, Mr. Balarabe Ali Mohammed, formally received the Executive Council of the association.
Mohammed highlighted SON’s mandate covering standards development, conformity assessment, product certification and consumer protection, stressing the importance of MANCAP certification in assuring consumers of the quality and safety of products.
A major focus of the engagement was the discontinuation of the old MANCAP logo. Mohammed urged the association to promptly communicate the directive to its members, stressing that the September 30, 2026 deadline remains sacrosanct.
He advised affected manufacturers to replace the old logo with the valid and authorised MANCAP logo before the deadline, warning against the display of unauthorised or invalid MANCAP logos on products.
The Chairman of the Master Bakers Association, Sokoto Branch, Alhaji Ibrahim Gandi Abubakar, appreciated SON for organising the sensitisation programme and pledged the association’s cooperation towards the certification of bakery and related products.
The association’s Secretary, Muhammad Suleiman, however, raised concerns over multiple taxation and certification costs affecting small and medium-sized enterprises, while also calling for greater cooperation among members.
In response, the SON State Coordinator assured the association of the organisation’s continued guidance and technical support within its mandate.
He reiterated the need for bakers to comply with applicable standards and certification requirements to protect consumers and improve the quality of bakery products.
The engagement ended with a renewed commitment by SON and the Master Bakers Association to strengthen collaboration, promote standards compliance and ensure safer and higher-quality bakery products in Sokoto State.
