Onome Amuge
Dangote’s Okpella Cement Limited has achieved the Integrated Management System (IMS) certification, marking a new milestone in its pursuit of global best practices in quality management, environmental performance, and workplace safety, in a major boost to its operational integrity and sustainability credentials.
The certification, awarded by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), followed a rigorous audit process confirming that the cement producer’s operations meet international benchmarks across three key ISO frameworks: Quality Management System (QMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).
The recognition positions Okpella Cement among a select group of manufacturing firms in Nigeria whose operations are aligned with integrated management standards.
Speaking at a ceremony in Okpella over the weekend, Mohammed Ismaeel, plant director of Okpella Cement Limited, described the certification as a transformative milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to excellence in product quality, environmental stewardship, and occupational safety.
“Okpella Plant’s IMS certification journey transformed our management practices into a cohesive system that meets global standards for quality, environmental stewardship, and occupational health and safety.
“This certification means a lot to us. It is the outcome of hard work and dedication. It reflects our commitment to the company’s vision to be a global leader in cement manufacturing — respected not only for product quality and services, but also for the way we conduct our business,” he said.
The IMS certification, a globally recognised integrated framework, enables organisations to streamline multiple management systems under a single operational model. For manufacturing firms, it enhances efficiency by reducing duplication, improving documentation, and strengthening accountability across quality, environment, and safety domains.
Ismaeel noted that the certification offers both tangible and strategic advantages for the company, including global recognition, business continuity, improved waste management, enhanced customer satisfaction, higher product consistency, and stricter compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
“It is not a certificate for show. It is a certificate that demonstrates our real commitment to the principles embedded in our quality, environmental, and health manuals. It tells our customers and partners that we are serious about continuous improvement,” he added.
The certificate was formally presented to the company’s management by Anil Rao, head of quality control and IMS team Lead at Okpella Cement Limited, who underscored that the certification process was both technical and strategic.
Rao said the goal was to establish an integrated management framework that guarantees consistent product quality, environmental responsibility, and safe working conditions, while positioning the plant as a global leader in cement manufacturing.
“One of our primary objectives is to build a system that not only meets but exceeds international standards. The IMS certification aligns our daily operations with three key international standards — QMS, EMS, and OHSMS — ensuring that we produce high-quality cement in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner,” Rao said.
He added that the certification process was implemented in three distinct phases including Capacity Building, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation & Certification, each designed to strengthen institutional capacity and operational discipline across departments.
According to him, the integrated approach has already led to measurable improvements in waste reduction, energy efficiency, and workplace safety compliance.
“With this milestone, Okpella Cement reasserts its position as an industry leader committed to excellence, sustainability, and global best practices,” Rao said.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in its communication to the company, commended Okpella Cement’s leadership for aligning its systems with international standards. The agency noted that such compliance demonstrates the company’s readiness to compete globally while supporting national efforts to improve manufacturing quality and export competitiveness.
The Okpella Cement Plant, located in Edo State, is one of Dangote Cement’s major production sites, with a strategic focus on meeting domestic demand and driving regional exports. The plant plays a key role in the company’s growth strategy, particularly in West Africa’s expanding infrastructure market.
