The National Association of Science Laboratory Technologists Alumni (NASLTSA) has called for urgent Federal Government intervention over alleged intimidation, harassment, threats and regulatory conflicts involving Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) graduates and practitioners working in clinical and healthcare laboratory environments.
In a press release dated October 6, 2026, sent to 9News Nigeria, the association expressed particular concern over reports from Cross River State, where an SLT laboratory was allegedly sealed following regulatory action involving the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and the Ministry of Health.
It also raised concerns over reports that an SLT practitioner in Edo State was receiving threats allegedly connected with the same professional jurisdictional dispute, describing the developments as disturbing and requiring immediate attention from the appropriate authorities.
NASLTSA urged the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) and the Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria (ASLTON) to protect qualified practitioners and help resolve the recurring disputes through legal clarification, dialogue and professional collaboration.
SLT’s Statutory Recognition and Regulatory Responsibilities
The association said the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology Act No. 12 of 2003 provides a statutory foundation for the recognition and regulation of qualified SLT professionals.
According to NASLTSA, the Act establishes NISLT and gives it responsibility for advancing the profession, determining professional standards, promoting competence and professional conduct, maintaining a register of members, conducting examinations and certification, ensuring laboratory safety, managing and inspecting science laboratories, and promoting the profession in the public and private sectors.
It added that NISLT’s published mandate includes regulating registered and certified laboratory technologists and scientists, conducting laboratory inspection and accreditation, issuing practising licences, and promoting laboratory standards and safety.
The association argued that the existence of another statutory professional regulator must not be interpreted as a licence to intimidate, threaten or unlawfully discriminate against qualified SLT professionals.
At the same time, NASLTSA acknowledged that Medical Laboratory Science is separately regulated under the MLSCN Act No. 11 of 2003 and that the council has statutory responsibilities over Medical Laboratory Science practice and medical laboratories.
“The solution to the overlap and professional-interface questions must therefore be clear legal delineation, dialogue and collaboration, not harassment or confrontation,” the association stated.
The 2023 Federal High Court, Calabar Matter
NASLTSA drew attention to proceedings before the Federal High Court, Calabar Judicial Division, in Charge No. FHC/CA/19C/2020, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Orim Augustine Ilah & Andiabu Dennis.
The statement identified April 25, 2023, as the date of the judgment before Justice S. A. Amobeda and alleged that the medical laboratory authorities and Ministry of Health in Calabar had failed to comply with it.
According to the association, the matter concerned allegations of personation, unlawful practice and quackery, while the proceedings and subsequent judgment generated substantial discussion concerning the relationship between SLT practice and medical laboratory practice.
NASLTSA noted that MLSCN subsequently issued its own interpretation of the judgment, maintaining that the decision was specific to the defendants and did not create a general right for SLT practitioners to practise Medical Laboratory Science.
The association therefore called for the actual judgment, the NISLT Act, the MLSCN Act and all other relevant legal instruments to be considered together by competent legal authorities, rather than relying on competing interpretations circulated among professionals.
Pending Court Case in Benin
The association also referred to an ongoing matter at the National Industrial Court in Benin, identified as Suit No. NICN/BEN/28/2025.
It named Mr. Jeremoth Osasemwenga Igbineweka, AISLT, acting for himself and on behalf of NISLT members in Nigeria, and Osasemwenga Science Laboratories Services Limited in Benin City, Edo State, as parties involved in the proceedings.
NASLTSA stated that a restraint was in place against the medical laboratory authorities and Ministry of Health to prevent what it described as trespass pending the determination of the case.
The association presented the pending proceedings as another reason for the relevant institutions to respect due process and seek a clear legal resolution of the professional dispute.
NISLT Records Show the Dispute Is Not New
NASLTSA said the issue could not be dismissed as a recent disagreement, noting that published NISLT records had previously documented complaints concerning the harassment of members, including those working in clinical laboratories in Cross River and Delta states.
According to the association, those records also refer to legal proceedings arising from the disputes and calls for collaboration between NISLT, ASLTON and MLSCN to prevent further harassment.
It added that NISLT had previously considered collaboration with MLSCN and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding as possible mechanisms for resolving the recurring disputes.
“This demonstrates that the professional community has already recognised that continued confrontation is not a sustainable solution,” NASLTSA said.
Association Outlines Demands to Regulators and Ministries
NASLTSA called on the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to urgently intervene as the supervising ministry responsible for NISLT and ensure that the statutory interests and professional rights of qualified SLT practitioners are adequately protected.
It urged NISLT to take decisive institutional action whenever duly registered members report intimidation, threats, harassment or professional discrimination. The institute, it said, should also provide clear guidance on the lawful scope of SLT practice, particularly where its members work in healthcare institutions.
The association asked ASLTON to strengthen its advocacy, legal support and professional representation for affected members, while working closely with NISLT to establish a permanent mechanism for resolving disputes involving other health and laboratory regulatory bodies.
Addressing MLSCN, NASLTSA called for respect for the existence and statutory responsibilities of NISLT. It urged the council to distinguish between impersonation of a Medical Laboratory Scientist, unauthorised practice of Medical Laboratory Science, legitimate SLT professional activities, laboratory technology, research and technical services, and areas where professional responsibilities legitimately overlap.
“Where an individual is suspected of exceeding the lawful scope of practice, the appropriate response should be investigation, due process and lawful regulatory action, not threats or intimidation,” it stated.
NASLTSA further called on federal and state ministries of health to facilitate structured dialogue between NISLT, ASLTON, MLSCN and other relevant professional bodies to clearly define professional boundaries and prevent recurring conflicts in hospitals, diagnostic facilities, research institutions and other healthcare environments.
“We Do Not Want a Professional War”
The association emphasised that it did not support confrontation between SLT and Medical Laboratory Science professionals.
It said SLT graduates and alumni should not be pushed into a situation where they feel compelled to confront MLSCN or ministries of health because of unresolved professional disputes.
“We want law, dialogue, due process and professional collaboration,” NASLTSA stated.
It maintained that qualified professionals from different laboratory disciplines could work together while each professional body retains its lawful regulatory mandate.
According to the association, healthcare laboratories require quality assurance, competent personnel, standard operating procedures, biosafety, equipment management, research, quality control and reliable laboratory services. It argued that these objectives are better achieved through cooperation than professional hostility.
Call for a Formal Collaboration Framework
NASLTSA urged FMIST, NISLT and ASLTON to stop the alleged harassment, protect qualified SLT professionals, clarify professional boundaries and establish a formal NISLT–MLSCN collaboration framework.
It also called for the development of a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas of professional interface, due process for all alleged scope-of-practice violations, and an end to what it described as the recurrent cycle of sealing, threats, counter-actions and professional confrontation.
The association said the future of laboratory practice in Nigeria should be built on professional respect, statutory compliance, collaboration, competence, patient safety and the rule of law.
“Enough of the confrontation, let the law, dialogue and professional collaboration prevail,” it declared.
The statement was signed by Comrades Modozie Benjamin, Nelson Godbless RIighthand, Mohammed Idris Ruma, Dr. Onyima Chibuike Sylvester, Ezekiel Chris and Chigbata Osaletin Emmanuel, on behalf of NASLTSA and SLT graduates, alumni and practitioners.
Source: NASLTSA press release supplied to 9News Nigeria
Original Press Release
