Nigerian Delegation Tours Cotecna Geneva and NofaLab

Cotecna was honoured to host a delegation from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at our head office in Geneva, Switzerland. This visit was followed by an informative tour of Cotecna’s NofaLab facilities in the Netherlands. This visit provided a unique opportunity for SON to gain a comprehensive understanding of Cotecna's extensive service offerings and expertise as a facilitator of the SONCAP program.

The Nigerian delegation, led by Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director General of SON, included Uchenna Chukwuemeka Okafor, Chief of Staff to the DG, Engr. Shaibu Enebi Onucheyo, Director of Product Certification Department (PCD), Pious Lawan Manji, Director of Inspection and Compliance Directorate (ICD), and Folasade Oluwaseyi Aderoju, Special Assistant to the DG. They were warmly received by Cotecna’s CEO Sebastien Dannaud and VOC BD, Sales & Marketing Director, Meriam Ben Ayed.

The delegation's visit was marked by insightful discussions that underscored Cotecna's pivotal role in facilitating the SONCAP Program in Nigeria. Cotecna's team, led by Sebastien Dannaud, provided an in-depth overview of the company’s Verification of Conformity services and its wide range of offerings in key sectors including, agriculture, food, consumer products, minerals and metals, and pharmaceuticals.

During the visit, Cotecna’s Sebastien Dannaud and Nigeria Country Manager, Ade Adediran, highlighted the strategic importance of the synergies between Cotecna and SON in ensuring compliance with international standards. The discussions surrounded the operational expertise of Cotecna's testing, inspections and certification services for both the Product and SONCAP Certificates. These certifications are a crucial part of ensuring the quality and safety of regulated products entering Nigeria.

Following the Geneva visit, the delegation travelled to the Netherlands to tour Cotecna’s NofaLab, a state-of-the-art sampling and testing laboratory located in Schiedam, Rotterdam. The tour was led by Frank Cobussen, Managing Director of NofaLab, who provided an in-depth overview of the laboratory's testing capabilities and specializations.

NofaLab is renowned for its expertise in food, feed, and environmental safety. The delegation was particularly impressed with NofaLab's extensive range of analytical methods and its ability to provide one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. The laboratory offers a complete spectrum of in-house research techniques, with a focus on mycotoxins, pesticides, illegal dyes, and other critical elements and compounds. This diversity in testing capabilities ensures that NofaLab remains a preferred partner for international customers seeking reliable and timely analysis.

To learn more about Exporting to Nigeria contact Cotecna Nigeria or download our free Nigeria Exporter Guide.

Pictured: Meriam Ben Ayed Cotecna Director VOC BD, Sales & Marketing; Cotecna Nigeria Country Manager Ade Adediran; SON Director of Product Certification Department (PCD) Engr. Shaibu Enebi Onucheyo; Cotecna Chief Executive Officer Sebastien Dannaud; SON Director General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke; SON Chief of Staff Uchenna Chukwuemeka Okafor; SON Special Assistant to the DG Folasade Oluwaseyi Aderoju; SON Director of Inspection and Compliance Directorate (ICD) Pious Lawan Manji, Alpha Sy and ‘Tayo Rabiu.