Posted on: Thu 19-06-2025

Medical laboratory scientists across Nigeria have expressed growing concern over the recent decision by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to exclude the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) from its list of professional bodies authorized to accredit university programmes.

The concern was raised by a group under the banner of Concerned and Patriotic Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, who referred to an NUC circular dated May 20, 2025. The directive, which reportedly came from the Federal Ministry of Education, removes MLSCN from key responsibilities such as verifying training resources, approving student admission quotas, accrediting academic programmes, overseeing professional exams, and inducting graduates into the medical laboratory science profession.

The group sees this decision not just as a bureaucratic shift but as a serious threat to Nigeria’s healthcare system. They argue that excluding MLSCN undermines years of progress in ensuring diagnostic quality and patient safety—core pillars of effective healthcare delivery.

In a statement signed by the group’s secretary, Joseph Saliu, the scientists stressed that laboratory diagnostics are at the heart of modern medicine. Over 70% of clinical decisions depend on laboratory test results, they explained, noting that accurate and timely testing is vital for everything from emergency care and surgery to disease monitoring and public health surveillance.

“Medical laboratory scientists carry out complex tests that help doctors make informed decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and patient care,” Saliu said. “Without strong regulation of both the training and practice of these professionals, patient safety is compromised.”

The group also cited findings from a 2017 global study that revealed diagnostic errors contribute to between 40,000 and 80,000 hospital deaths each year—highlighting the importance of accurate testing and professional oversight.

They argue that removing MLSCN from the accreditation process contradicts the law and the council’s statutory role. The council is legally mandated to regulate the training and practice of medical laboratory science in Nigeria—a role that ensures consistency in diagnostic standards and professional competence across the country.

Moreover, the group believes this decision is at odds with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promises improvements in healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.

They called for the immediate reversal of the directive, urging the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to reconsider the implications of their action. They also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Assembly’s Health and Education Committees to intervene and uphold the legal mandate of MLSCN.

“This is not just a matter of who does what. It’s about protecting lives, ensuring standards, and preserving the professionalism that underpins our health system,” the group stated. “Excluding the MLSCN is not only unlawful, but it also opens the door to substandard training and serious public health risks.”

In conclusion, the medical laboratory scientists emphasized that professional accreditation by statutory bodies is not a duplication of efforts but a legal and necessary safeguard. They urged full reinstatement of MLSCN’s role in collaboration with the NUC, to maintain the integrity of medical laboratory science education and practice in Nigeria.

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