By Adewale Sanyaolu
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s industrial sector have renewed calls for stricter welding standards and improved fabrication practices, warning that poor welding integrity, particularly in processing equipment, poses serious risks to public health, product quality and the country’s export competitiveness.
The push formed the central theme of an industry awareness session on contamination risks from deformed welded joints, convened by The Welding Federation (TWF) in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Speaking at the event, member of TWF Board, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, warned that defective welds in sectors such as oil and gas, food processing, pharmaceuticals and beverages could create “dead zones” where harmful microorganisms thrive.
Ogunsanya, who is also the Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) said, such defects could lead to contamination, environmental hazards through leakages, as well as financial and reputational losses for companies.
“In today’s global marketplace, compliance with standards such as FSSC 22000 is no longer optional. Attention to fabrication details like weld integrity is essential,” he said, urging industry players to prioritise quality, strengthen inspection systems and embrace international best practices.
Also speaking, Executive Director, TWF, Mr. Ayo Adeniyi, stressed that improving welding standards is critical to enhancing safety and competitiveness beyond the oil and gas sector.
He noted that while oil and gas has traditionally received the most attention, other industries such as food processing and chemicals are equally vital and require high-precision fabrication systems.
Adeniyi pointed out that many industrial plants in Nigeria are imported and only assembled locally, making technical expertise crucial.
“A contamination incident traced to Nigeria can result in product recalls, revenue losses and reputational damage across African markets,” he said. “Our focus is to ensure quality is delivered right the first time, every time.”
He added that the federation is driving initiatives across Africa to deepen welding capacity through certification, policy advocacy, research, and skills development.
Providing further insight into regulatory efforts, the Special Adviser on Strategy to the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Manji Lawan, said the agency’s involvement is anchored on its statutory mandate to set and enforce standards.
He explained that emerging technologies such as orbital welding, commonly used in food and beverage production, can significantly improve product safety by eliminating defects associated with conventional welding.
“If weld joints are rough or poorly finished, they create spaces where moisture and microorganisms can accumulate, making it difficult for manufacturers to meet required safety standards,” he said.
According to him, this not only affects product quality but also undermines Nigeria’s competitiveness, especially under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where standard harmonisation is key.
He noted that SON is working with industry partners to promote adoption of orbital welding and may develop a dedicated code of practice to guide its implementation.
“We already have general welding standards, but orbital welding is still emerging. The next step is to establish clear procedures and, eventually, specific standards for its application,” he added.
Pyroslawan disclosed that SON has also provided access to its laboratory facilities to support the initiative, describing the collaboration as critical to safeguarding lives and improving product integrity.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that strengthening welding practices, especially in processing industries, will not only reduce contamination risks but also enhance Nigeria’s industrial reputation, improve export acceptance and create more opportunities for job creation.
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