Nigeria's electrical product market is flooded with substandard and counterfeit components that pose serious risks to property and life. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) estimates that up to 40% of electrical products in circulation do not meet minimum safety standards. Yet these products continue to find their way onto construction sites, into homes, and into commercial buildings — often because the price difference makes them attractive at procurement stage.
The consequences are severe. Underrated circuit breakers fail to trip during overloads, allowing sustained fault currents that cause fires. Substandard insulation degrades quickly in Nigeria's tropical climate, leading to short circuits in cables that should last decades. Counterfeit surge protection devices provide a false sense of security while offering no actual protection. These are not hypothetical risks — they are among the leading causes of electrical fires in Nigerian commercial and residential buildings.
When sourcing electrical products, look for SON certification marks, IEC compliance documentation, and manufacturer warranties. Reputable suppliers will always provide test certificates on request and be transparent about their supply chain. The marginal cost saving on non-certified products is never worth the liability and safety risk. At Kali Electric, every product we supply is certified and traceable to its manufacturer — it is a non-negotiable part of how we operate.
