Farouk Nelson

We are proud to announce that NiNAS has achieved 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗠𝗥𝗔) 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 with African Accreditation Cooperation AFRAC, and by extension, the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) & the International Accreditation Forum Inc (IAF) 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗠𝗟𝗔) across 𝗦𝗜𝗫 key accreditation standards, including:

ISO/IEC 17025 (Testing)

ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration)

ISO/IEC 17020 (Inspection)

ISO/IEC 17021 (Management Systems Certification)

ISO/IEC 17024 (Persons Certification)

ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratories)

Although projected to take 15–20 years, this was achieved in just 𝟳 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 under the leadership of Dr. Celestine Okanya

The remarkable achievement was announced at the 16th AFRAC General Assembly that took place from the 24-26th September, 2025 in Uganda following a decision agreed upon by stakeholders after a successful peer evaluation.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮:

Seamless global trade – reduced duplicate testing/certification

Reduced technical barriers – easier international market accessand export of Nigerian goods & services.

Stronger competitiveness – trust in Nigerian products & services attracts global commerce

Projected economic benefit – ₦200+ billion from enhanced trade.

We sincerely appreciate the invaluable support of the National Quality Council (NQC), Presidency – Government of Nigeria; STANDARDS ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA (SON); Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK) through the Standards Partnership Project; PTB of Germany; European Union (EU); UNIDO; The World Bank Group; JDSC, IAF/ILAC; Ethiopia Accreditation Service (EAS); African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) members; South African National Accreditation System (SANAS); our many consultants (Stephen Cross and others); NiNAS Board of Directors, Staff, Assessors, and members of the Accreditation Technical and Advisory Committees, whose contributions made this milestone possible.

This is more than an institutional win, it’s a national turning point for quality, trade and export.

NiNAS’ Board and Management congratulate the Director General of Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS): Celestine O. Okanya, on his election as the Chairperson of African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC). This election took place at the just concluded 15th AFRAC General Assembly.

By this election, NiNAS’ DG will pilot the affairs of this continental body on Accreditation. AFRAC is a cooperation of accreditation bodies, National Accreditation Focal Points (NAFPs) and stakeholders with an interest in accreditation matters.

AFRAC’s mandate is to provide African Member States with an accreditation infrastructure as a tool for facilitating the national, regional and international recognition and acceptance of conformity assessment results, thus facilitating trade and the protection of health and safety of the public and the environment in both the voluntary and regulatory areas.

While thanking you for the selfless services to our continent, we wish you a successful tenure.

NiNAS

All posts by : Farouk Nelson

DG of NiNAS Elected as the new AFRAC Chairperson

NiNAS

QUICk LINKS

CONTACT

LOCATION ON MAP