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Dangote Cement Receives International Certification From SON
Standards Organisation of Nigeria has awarded Dangote Cement an Integrated Management System (IMS) certification, marking a major recognition of the company’s commitment to quality, safety and environmental standards.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The certification, announced Friday in Lagos, affirms that Dangote Cement has met international benchmarks for managing its operations. IMS combines three critical standards: ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.
SON Director General Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke said the award followed a rigorous process of assessment at the company’s plants and offices. He described the certification as proof that Dangote Cement had aligned its business practices with global best standards.
“This certification shows that Dangote Cement is not only meeting Nigerian standards but also performing at an international level,” Okeke said. “It reflects a culture of continuous improvement and a strong commitment to quality, safety and sustainability.”
Dangote Cement is the largest cement producer in Africa with operations in 10 countries. The company is part of Dangote Industries Limited, owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote. Its Nigerian operations supply a major share of the cement used in construction projects across the country.
Company officials said the certification demonstrates its drive to meet customer expectations while also protecting workers and the environment.
“This recognition from SON is an important milestone for us,” said Dangote Cement Group Managing Director Arvind Pathak. “It confirms that we are doing the right things in terms of product quality, environmental responsibility and the safety of our workforce. It also challenges us to keep improving.”
The IMS certificate is expected to strengthen the company’s reputation in both local and international markets. Industry analysts say the award could also boost investor confidence, as more global investors demand strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Nigeria’s cement industry is one of the most competitive in Africa, with major players like Dangote Cement, BUA Cement and Lafarge Africa competing for market share. Certification to international standards, experts say, gives companies an edge in credibility and consumer trust.
Environmental groups have often raised concerns about the environmental footprint of cement production, which is energy-intensive and produces significant carbon emissions. By adopting ISO 14001 standards, Dangote Cement commits to reducing its environmental impact through better resource use and pollution control.
Similarly, the ISO 45001 standard places emphasis on worker safety and health. With frequent reports of workplace hazards in Nigeria’s industrial sector, compliance with this standard is seen as an important step in protecting employees.
“Certification does not end the conversation, but it is a strong signal,” said Lagos-based industry consultant Chijioke Anya. “It means Dangote Cement has set up systems that can help reduce accidents, improve efficiency and manage its environmental responsibilities. The key question will be how consistently these systems are applied.”
SON officials said the organization will continue to monitor certified companies to ensure compliance is maintained. Certificates are typically subject to periodic reviews and can be withdrawn if standards slip.
The award also fits into Nigeria’s broader push to improve the competitiveness of its local industries. The federal government has been encouraging manufacturers to adopt international standards as part of efforts to boost exports and attract foreign investment.
Dangote Cement, which employs thousands of Nigerians, said it will continue to align its operations with best practices. The company has also pledged to expand its corporate social responsibility projects, focusing on education, health and community development.
“This certification is a win for our customers, our staff and the country at large,” Pathak said. “It shows that Nigerian companies can meet and even exceed global standards.”
With the certification in place, Dangote Cement now joins a small group of African industrial firms that have achieved IMS recognition. Industry watchers say this could raise the bar for other manufacturers in the region to follow suit.
For Nigeria, the development highlights both the challenges and opportunities of building industries that can compete globally. For Dangote Cement, it is another step in its effort to maintain its dominance in the market while addressing concerns about sustainability and safety.
Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) has graduated 17,300 students at its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held on Saturday at the main campus.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The university also conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on Paul Odili, Founder and CEO of Paulo Group of Companies; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Emmanuel Issa, in recognition of their contributions to society.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the honourees were selected based on their character, achievements, and commitment to excellence.
He urged graduating students to focus on what they can contribute to national development, stressing that character, discipline, and integrity would determine their success beyond the classroom.
According to him, certificates may open doors, but personal values and conduct will shape long-term achievements.
The Vice Chancellor also reminded the graduates to uphold the reputation of the institution wherever they go.
Fawehinmi disclosed that the 29th convocation covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th covered 2023/2024, with thousands graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Speaking after receiving his honorary award, Dr. Odili dedicated the recognition to Nigerians with dreams and encouraged young people to remain persistent in pursuing their goals.
He also pledged support for the university, promising collaboration aimed at addressing key challenges facing the institution.
The Federal Government has released an updated list of items banned from importation into Nigeria, in a move aimed at protecting local industries and reducing pressure on foreign exchange.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The revised prohibition schedule, dated April 1, 2026, outlines 17 broad categories of goods that are no longer allowed into the country through any entry point.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the policy affects a wide range of products, including food items, pharmaceuticals, household goods, and industrial materials.
One of the most notable aspects of the list is the ban on several widely used medicines under specified HS codes, including paracetamol, metronidazole, cotrimoxazole, chloroquine, aspirin, folic acid, and some vitamin supplements. The government says these are now to be produced locally.
The restriction also covers pharmaceutical waste, which remains completely prohibited.
In the agriculture and food sector, the importation of poultry, pork, beef, and eggs remains banned, although an exception was made for hatching eggs used for breeding and research purposes.
Retail-packaged vegetable oils, sugar products, cocoa derivatives, tomato paste, and certain bottled water products are also included in the import restrictions, with emphasis on encouraging local production.
The policy further bars detergents, soaps, ballpoint pens and refills, cement, certain fertilizers, packaging materials, and specific steel and glass products.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been directed to enforce the new rules strictly, with importers and businesses advised to comply fully to avoid seizure of goods and penalties.
ADC chieftain and publisher, Dele Momodu, has dismissed calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, describing the push as unfair and politically motivated.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Momodu was reacting to comments by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, a supporter of Peter Obi, who urged Atiku to step aside over concerns about his age, which would be about 80 by 2027.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Momodu said attention should be focused on holding the government accountable rather than targeting Atiku’s political ambition.
The exchange followed a viral video where Idris insisted that Atiku should support younger aspirants instead of contesting, arguing that voters would not back an elderly candidate.
Idris also suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman and support younger politicians such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others.
Responding, Momodu cited several world leaders who held office at advanced ages, arguing that experience should not be dismissed in leadership discussions.
He questioned what should disqualify Atiku from contesting, insisting that age alone is not a valid reason.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another run in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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