Get Guardian on GoogleThe Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria (ASLTON) has called on the Federal Government to establish a national laboratory infrastructure renewal programme, strengthen regulation of chemicals and scientific equipment, and improve laboratory security to protect public health and address security risks.
The association also urged governments to invest in modern laboratory facilities, promote local production of scientific equipment and reagents, enforce professional standards and tackle quackery.
ASLTON President, Mr Marilia Ayotunde, made the call at the association’s 41st Annual National Conference and Scientific Workshop, organised in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) in Abuja. The conference was themed, “Advancing Sustainable Development through Science Laboratory Technology: Strengthening Education, Healthcare and Innovation for National Transformation.”
Ayotunde said functional laboratories and qualified personnel were essential to national development, particularly in education, healthcare, food safety, national security, industrial production and environmental management.
He described laboratory technology as a strategic profession underpinning medical diagnosis, scientific research, public policy, quality assurance and technological innovation.
“Sustainable development will not be achieved by policies alone. It will be achieved through reliable data, accurate diagnosis, safe products, functional laboratories, skilled personnel and innovations that move from the research bench into factories, farms, hospitals, schools and communities,” he said.
He urged federal and state governments, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and secondary schools to rehabilitate and equip their laboratories, recruit qualified personnel and provide regular professional training.
On healthcare, Ayotunde said reliable diagnostic services were central to effective disease prevention and treatment. He noted that laboratory professionals detect infectious diseases, manage non-communicable diseases, monitor treatment outcomes, and support disease surveillance and maternal healthcare.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the experience had demonstrated the importance of laboratories in responding to public health emergencies.
He called for investment in modern diagnostic equipment, reagents, quality management systems, biosafety, biosecurity and improved welfare for laboratory personnel. He also advocated functional laboratory networks, stronger referral systems and wider access to diagnostic services, particularly in rural communities.
Ayotunde proposed establishing strategically located laboratories in security flashpoints and vulnerable areas to examine suspicious materials, identify adulterated products, and provide scientific evidence for security operations.
He said laboratories housed valuable equipment, sensitive research data, biological materials and chemicals that required protection against theft, vandalism, sabotage, fire, flooding and unauthorised access.
He identified the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies as important partners in protecting laboratory infrastructure. According to him, laboratories also require reliable electricity, clean water, safe waste-disposal systems, internet connectivity, accessible roads and modern buildings to operate effectively.
He proposed a national renewal plan covering renewable and backup power, modern equipment, preventive maintenance, digital laboratory systems, biosafety facilities and secure storage for chemicals, reagents and specimens.
The ASLTON president also expressed concern over the uncontrolled importation and sale of chemicals and laboratory equipment, calling for stronger regulatory oversight.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to develop a policy framework empowering appropriately licensed science laboratory professionals, through relevant regulatory structures, to screen and regulate individuals and businesses involved in importing such materials.
He said effective oversight would improve product quality, prevent misuse and address security vulnerabilities.
On industrial development, Ayotunde lamented that Nigeria continued to export raw materials and import finished products despite the research capabilities of its universities and research institutions.
He attributed the disconnect partly to weak collaboration among researchers, industries, investors, entrepreneurs and government agencies, which leaves many scientific discoveries without commercial application.
He called for increased funding and partnerships to translate research findings into marketable products, patents, businesses and industrial processes. Properly equipped Nigerian laboratories, he said, could support local production of diagnostic kits, pharmaceuticals, food products, construction materials and clean-energy solutions, while reducing import dependence and creating jobs.
Ayotunde identified inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment, insufficient research funding, shortages of consumables and poor maintenance as major challenges facing the profession.
He also condemned unqualified practitioners, insisting that only certified and registered professionals should undertake regulated laboratory work. Citing the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology Act No. 12 of 2003, he called for stricter enforcement to eliminate quackery and protect the integrity of laboratory services.
He encouraged professionals with political ambitions to participate in governance and policymaking to influence decisions affecting scientific development.
In his remarks, the Acting Director-General and Registrar of NISLT, Dr Peter Oluwafisoye, reiterated the institute’s commitment to regulating laboratory practice, strengthening professional standards and promoting science laboratory technology.
He said the institute, established under Act No. 12 of 2003, was responsible for registering qualified practitioners, regulating professional conduct, setting standards and promoting continuous professional development and laboratory safety.
Oluwafisoye disclosed that the institute had more than 35,000 registered members, reflecting the growing reach of the profession across tertiary institutions.
He identified obsolete equipment, inadequate laboratory facilities, limited research funding and poor maintenance as challenges requiring urgent attention.
He also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, molecular technologies and digital laboratory systems, urging practitioners to acquire new skills to remain relevant.
He called on universities, polytechnics and research institutions to upgrade their facilities and ensure that laboratories were managed by appropriately trained professionals. He also advocated stronger partnerships among government agencies, educational institutions, research organisations, healthcare facilities and industries to promote research, innovation and technology transfer.
Presenting a paper titled “Rebranding: A Task for All,” Dr Ibrahim Aliyu of the Department of Business Administration, University of Abuja, called for a repositioning of the profession to improve its public image and recognition.
Aliyu described laboratory technologists as critical contributors to healthcare, pharmaceutical production, food safety, water quality, environmental monitoring, agriculture, petroleum quality control and forensic analysis.
He said their contributions remained largely unrecognised by policymakers and the public despite their influence on decisions affecting public health and product safety. He argued that rebranding should extend beyond publicity to include stronger professional standards, institutional accountability, effective communication and measurable service delivery.
He urged ASLTON and NISLT to conduct a national reputation audit, strengthen registration and licensing, expand professional development, promote specialisation and adopt internationally recognised certification standards.
Aliyu also called for improved working conditions, transparency in professional associations, collaboration with related bodies and enforcement of laws against unqualified practice. He urged the government to recognise laboratory technology in national health, education, science and industrial policies.
Also, a Lecturer at the Department of Crop and Environmental, University of Abuja, Prof. Akeem Oyerinde, examined the role of laboratory technologists in ensuring the quality and safety of food, drugs, dietary supplements, water and beverages. He described laboratory technology as central to quality assurance, explaining that trained professionals use scientific methods to verify product safety, purity and compliance with regulatory standards.
Oyerinde said effective quality control required properly equipped laboratories, competent personnel, reliable analytical procedures and continuous monitoring throughout production and distribution.
He warned that inadequate laboratory investigations could lead to wrong medical decisions, delayed treatment, unnecessary investigations and loss of confidence in diagnostic services.
He urged laboratories to strengthen quality assurance systems, regularly assess their procedures and adopt standards that would improve reliability and international competitiveness.
Oyerinde also emphasised the importance of professional training, ethical practice and knowledge sharing to keep laboratory personnel abreast of emerging technologies.
The conference brought together laboratory professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the profession’s contribution to national development.
Participants called for increased government investment, effective regulation, improved laboratory security, local technological innovation and stronger collaboration, stressing that Nigeria’s ambitions in healthcare, education, industrialisation and national security depended on a functional laboratory system.
