HISTORY OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE IN NIGERIA (conclusion).

MLS IN NIGERIA:  THE STORY SO FAR (PART 3)

The brilliant performance of Nigerian students sufficiently impressed the colonial administration to occasion the experiment of sponsoring Nigerians to the UK to study for Associates of the London Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology. In 1950 the first Associate emerged in the person of Mr. R.A.O Shonekan.  By the end of 1960 Nigerians holding Associates of the London Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology had exceeded 20. Thereafter, they came like a swarm of bees.
What appeared to be the logical consequence of this positive development was the London Institute’s decision to make Nigeria the first country outside Britain to conduct her intermediate exams. The final diploma of the Institute eventually followed this. The creation of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology in 1968, independent of London was inevitable. Ever since, the limitless sky has been the limit for the Nigerian Medical Laboratory Scientists

MLS IN NIGERIA: THE GRAND FINALE

The journey to becoming a profession to be reckoned with started during military regimes in 1968. First it was the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon who promulgated degree No 56 of 1968 that created the then Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria. Next, was the military administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo that made MLT a profession by degree No 5 of 1978. Then came degree No.54 of 1999 that gave the change of name from IMLTN to IMLSTN after series of agitations.
Respite then came our way in 2003 through the help of Hon. Kunle Jenrade (a member of the profession in the then NASS). Act 11 of 2003 assented by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo change the name to MLSCN and consequently conferred on us the name SCIENTIST.
In all of these, it’s pertinent to note that the profession has moved from being Lab boys through obtaining diploma (Associate) to degree (BMLS) and recently the clamour for MLSD.
The question now is WHO ARE YOU?
Finally, "A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve." - John Maxwell.