Quality Assurance in Organizations: The Role of TQM and ISO 20700 as Panacea for effective Performance and Sustainability in Selected Companies in Nigeria

The paper examined the role of Total Quality Management (TQM) and ISO-20700 as a panacea for effective organizational performance and sustainability among selected moribound companies in Nigeria. The objective of the paper was to appraise the role of these quality management systems in Nigerian organizations with particular reference to Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill, Jos International Breweries and the Benue Cement company, with a view to preventing a reoccurrence and reviving those that are still dormant. The paper argues that if ISO and TQM principles are applied to these companies, they would be revived. Apart from these, the political will, competence of employees, and other counter productive work behavior, if checked, would reposition reinvigorate and regineer these organizations to greater performance. When these management principles are applied it would not only sustaining organizations, but would resursitate the moribound companies in the country. Findings show that the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill, which was projected to provide over 30,000 jobs, has been comatose since itsinception in 1979. Other companies like Jos International Breweries (JIB) and the former Benue Cement Company (BCC) Gboko among others failed largely due to the lack of political will and mismanagement. The paper concludes that a critical national asset like the Ajaokuta Steel Company must not be allowed to rot away considering its centrality in the building industry which is the gateway to socioeconomic and infrastructural development of the country. It therefore recommends that the total quality management mantra be adopted in reinvigorating andreviving Moribound companies and even existing ones in the country. These quality management systems enhance effectiveness going by their principles which provide the enabling environment for business to thrive, with the resultant performance.