Understanding the Distinction Between Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) in Nigeria

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

For over two decades, there has been persistent confusion among students, employers, policymakers, and even some professionals about the clear distinction between Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) in Nigeria. Sadly, this misunderstanding continues to thrive even today.

This confusion has been compounded by misinformation, sometimes emanating from institutions that should know better, such as the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) and its affiliate professional body, the Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria (ASLTON). Their public statements and actions have, over time, blurred professional boundaries, misled stakeholders, and left many SLT graduates frustrated about their true professional identity and limits.

It has therefore become necessary to restate clearly and without bias the genuine distinctions between both professions in the interest of truth, public safety, and professional integrity.

1. 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

 Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is a specialised medical science discipline studied exclusively in universities accredited by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). It is domiciled within the Faculty of Health Sciences or Medical Laboratory Sciences under the College of Medicine forming a vital component of the clinical training structure alongside Medical counterparts. 

Medical Laboratory Technicians, representing the middle-level cadre, are trained in accredited Colleges of Health Technology, while Medical Laboratory Scientists undergo a rigorous five-year+ academic programme leading to the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) degree.

It is important to note that no Medical Laboratory Scientist is trained in a Polytechnic, a point often misunderstood by some Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) graduates who, due to misinformation, assume a link with the medical or clinical sciences.

By contrast, Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) is an applied science discipline taught in Polytechnics under the School of Science, or in some universities under the Faculty of Biological or Natural Sciences. Polytechnic graduates are awarded ND/HND in SLT and are designated Laboratory Technicians or Technologists, while university graduates obtain a B.Tech. in SLT.

However, the 𝑁𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐿𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑇𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦 (𝑁𝐼𝑆𝐿𝑇), established by Act 12 of 2003, does not in any way recognise SLT graduates as “Scientists” but rather as Technologists. Unfortunately, in recent times, some individuals have attempted to rebrand the title as “Science Laboratory Scientists” a tautological and professionally inaccurate designation, as the NISLT Act itself makes no such provision.

This misleading title has further deepened public misunderstanding and blurred the long-established professional distinction between the Medical Laboratory Scientist, who operates strictly within human health and clinical diagnostics, and the Science Laboratory Technologist, whose expertise lies within the industrial, environmental, research, and educational sectors.

It is also worth noting that outside Nigeria, there is no recognised discipline known as Science Laboratory Technology. Globally, the equivalent fields fall under the natural or applied sciences, such as Applied Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or Industrial Chemistry, each clearly defined by its academic scope and professional applications.

Conversely, Medical Laboratory Science is a globally recognised and well-established health profession. Across the world, its practitioners are known by various titles such as Medical Laboratory Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Laboratory Scientists, or Medical Laboratory Professionals. In some advanced countries, the qualification has evolved further into the Doctor of Medical or Clinical Laboratory Science (DMLS or DCLS) degree, reflecting the discipline’s increasing scientific depth and clinical significance.

This global recognition reflects the legal and professional clarity already provided in Section 29 of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Act 11 of 2003, which defines “Medical Laboratory Science” as:

“(a) The practice involving the analysis of human or animal tissues, body fluids, excretions, production of biologicals, design and fabrication of equipment for the purpose of medical laboratory diagnosis, treatment and research; and

(b) includes medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, chemical pathology, haematology, blood transfusion science, virology, histopathology, histochemistry, immunology, cytogenetics, exfoliative cytology, parasitology, forensic science, molecular biology, laboratory management; or any other related subject as may be approved by the Council.”

This statutory definition underscores that Medical Laboratory Science is a clinical and diagnostic health profession, while Science Laboratory Technology remains non-medical and non-clinical, regardless of academic depth or laboratory sophistication.

2. 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲

Students of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) undertake intensive biomedical and diagnostic courses focused exclusively on human health. These include:

▪️Human Anatomy

▪️Human Physiology

▪️Medical Biochemistry

▪️Pharmacology

▪️Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science

▪️Clinical Chemistry (Chemical Pathology)

▪️Histopathology and Cytopathology

▪️Medical Microbiology and Parasitology

▪️Immunology

▪️Virology

▪️Molecular Diagnostics

▪️Forensic Laboratory Science

▪️Public Health Laboratory Science

▪️Biomedical Engineering

▪️Medical Physics

▪️Instrumentation and Laboratory Design

▪️Laboratory Management

▪️Medical Ethics

In addition, the MLS curriculum now integrates emerging global trends such as Biotechnology, Genomic Medicine, Global Health Security, Artificial Intelligence in Laboratory Diagnostics, and Bioinformatics, reflecting the expanding frontiers of 21st-century medical science.

The MLS programme spans five academic years, leading to the BMLS degree, followed by a mandatory one-year internship and one-year National Youth Service (NYSC), totalling seven years of structured professional and clinical preparation.

Meanwhile, Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) focuses on the pure and applied sciences, offering a broad foundation in:

▪️Applied Biology and Microbiology

▪️Chemistry and Biochemistry

▪️Physics and Electronics

▪️Geology and Mining Technology

▪️Environmental and Food Science

▪️Instrumentation and Laboratory Design

At the Polytechnic level, SLT training comprises a two-year National Diploma (ND) and an additional two-year Higher National Diploma (HND). University-based SLT programmes run for four to five years, leading to a B.Tech. in SLT.

According to the NUC-CCMAS (2022), university-based SLT students may specialise in Biochemistry Technology, Microbiology Technology, Chemical/Petroleum Technology, Physics/Electronics Technology, Biology Technology, and Physiology/Pharmacology Technology none of which fall under medical diagnostic practice.

3. 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Admission into Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) requires five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, alongside competitive UTME and Post-UTME scores. Holders of relevant B.Sc. degrees may gain Direct Entry into the 200 level.

For Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), the entry requirements are similar in structure but differ in focus, as the curriculum is scientific rather than medical.

4. 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), established by Act 11 of 2003, under the Federal Ministry of Health, is the sole regulatory authority empowered to:

▪️Accredit and regulate all medical laboratory training institutions;

▪️Register and license practitioners;

▪️Monitor quality and compliance in medical laboratories nationwide;

▪️Certify diagnostic reagents and kits;

▪️Ensure professional discipline and ethical standards.

By contrast, the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), established by Act 12 of 2003 under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, regulates the Science Laboratory Technology profession, not medical laboratory services. Its jurisdiction extends to industrial, environmental, research, agricultural, and academic laboratories, focusing on science instrumentation, facility design, and laboratory management.

5. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) specialisations include:

▪️Medical Microbiology and Parasitology

▪️Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science

▪️Clinical Chemistry (Chemical Pathology)

▪️Histopathology and Cytopathology

▪️Immunology

▪️Virology

▪️Molecular Biology and Diagnostics

▪️Forensic Science

▪️Public Health and Epidemiology Laboratory

 Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) specialisations include:

▪️Applied Biology and Microbiology

▪️Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry

▪️Physics and Electronics

▪️Geology and Environmental Science

▪️Food and Industrial Laboratory Technology

6. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are licensed healthcare professionals who perform, interpret, and validate diagnostic tests on human specimens. Their work directly supports clinical decision-making and patient care across hospitals, diagnostic centres, research institutions, and public health laboratories.

Science Laboratory Technologists (SLT), on the other hand, work in industrial, environmental, academic, and research laboratories. Their contributions are essential to scientific innovation and national development, but they are not trained or licensed to perform human medical diagnostics.

Any SLT graduate who attempts to operate a medical diagnostic laboratory or pose as a Medical Laboratory Scientist without a BMLS degree or MLSCN registration is engaging in professional impersonation, which is both unethical and illegal.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Both Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) are noble professions that contribute immensely to Nigeria’s development, one to healthcare and diagnostics, the other to industrial and scientific innovation.

However, their boundaries must remain clear and respected.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist is a healthcare professional regulated by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) under the Federal Ministry of Health.

A Science Laboratory Technologist is a scientific professional regulated by the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

As Nigeria strives toward universal health coverage, biomedical innovation, and global competitiveness, both professions must collaborate within their defined mandates not as rivals, but as partners for the advancement of science, medicine, and humanity.

© 𝕬𝖉é𝖑é𝖐è 𝕺. Ọ𝖑á𝖔𝖑ú𝖜𝖆 (𝕺𝖑úọ𝖒ọ)

19/10/2025