An exploratory study on the unification of halal certification in Nigeria : halal certification bodies’ perspectives

Abstract

Unifying Halal certification is essential for regulatory standardizing in Nigeria. However, in Nigeria, the halal industry is still evolving. The certification of halal attracts companies with or without Islam alliance due to growing demand in halal products. This certification is issued by religious certification bodies and standard certification bodies in case of Nigeria. When too many halal certification providers are available without any intervention in supervision of their practices, it may create confusion as to which company certification to rely on. Due to this confusion, this paper is an attempt to explore the possibility of having a unified and standardize halal certification in Nigeria. This paper explores the importance of having unified halal certification frameworks and proposes strategies for achieving unified standards. The study adopts qualitative methodology with the use of interviews and library research to collect data. The data is thematically analysed to answer the research question. The benefits of unification include enhanced consumer trust, simplified market access for businesses, and improved regulatory oversight. The present study proposes a streamlined methodology for Halal certification that fosters global market integrity, transparency, and credibility by means of cooperation between certifying organizations, regulating organizations, and stakeholders. This paper concludes that the unification of halal certification is possible to achieve but it needs the active involvement of government.