In a landmark development for Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Federal Government has officially approved the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (MLSD) degree as an academic programme in Nigerian universities.
The approval, confirmed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), comes alongside the introduction of 11 other new degree courses designed to reflect global trends and enhance graduate employability.
The MLSD programme marks a significant elevation from the existing Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) degree and is expected to align Nigerian medical laboratory training with international standards. The programme will focus on advanced diagnostics, research, leadership, and innovation in medical laboratory science.
The decision follows a high-level advocacy visit by the leadership of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), led by its National President, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, to the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, in February 2025.
During the visit, the AMLSN requested the formal recognition and upgrade of the BMLS to MLSD. In response, Professor Ribadu appointed a desk officer for Medical Laboratory Science and pledged speedy approval—a promise that has now been fulfilled.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Ifeanyi described the approval as “a new dawn in the academic and professional advancement of Medical Laboratory Science in Nigeria.” He commended NUC’s leadership and expressed gratitude to various stakeholders including AMLSN’s Board of Trustees and affiliated groups like the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF) and the Association of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists (AFMLS).
The NUC also approved the introduction of the following new degree programmes across universities:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Classical Christian Education
- Community Health Science
- Cooperative Economics and Management Studies
- Geomatics Engineering
- Intelligence and Security Studies
- Parasitology and Entomology
- Sports Management
- Telecommunication Science
- Water Sanitation and Hygiene
- Islamic Economics and Finance
These programmes form part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s higher education system and equip graduates with skills relevant to 21st-century challenges.
Further implementation guidelines for the MLSD and other new programmes are expected from the NUC in the coming weeks.
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