Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos Act

What Is This Policy?

The Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos Act, 2022 (FCMLST Act) is Nigeria's legislative framework establishing the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in Jos as a fully autonomous, degree-awarding institution. It upgrades the institution from the former Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, repositioning it as a centre of excellence for training technical, professional, and skilled personnel in medical laboratory science a critical pillar of Nigeria's healthcare infrastructure.

Who Does It Target?

Students seeking academic and professional qualifications in medical laboratory science Medical laboratory science professionals and practitioners registered with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Academic staff, administrative personnel, and principal officers of the College Federal Government ministries responsible for health and education Investors, donors, and partner organisations in health science education Host communities and health institutions in Jos and across Nigeria dependent on trained medical laboratory scientists

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish the College as a legally recognised body corporate with perpetual succession and the power to sue and be sued Provide courses leading to degrees, diplomas, and certificates in medical laboratory science and related applied fields Produce the technical and professional personnel required for Nigeria's medical laboratory sector Strengthen institutional governance through a structured Governing Council, Academic Board, and key principal officers Eliminate discrimination in student admission, staff appointments, and College membership on grounds of race, sex, religion, or political affiliation Ensure financial accountability through proper auditing, annual reporting, and transparent fund management

Key Features

Corporate Status: The College is established as a body corporate with perpetual succession, a common seal, and the capacity to enter contracts, hold property, and litigate in its corporate name Governing Council: A Governing Council chaired by a Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (appointed by the President) oversees general management; members serve renewable 3-year terms Academic Board: An Academic Board manages all academic matters including student admissions, award of certificates, scholarships, and periodic academic reporting to the Council Provost: The Provost, the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer must hold a postgraduate degree in medical laboratory science, relevant professional registration, and at least 10 years of cognate experience; serves a renewable 4-year term Principal Officers: In addition to the provost, principal officers include the Registrar, two Deputy Provosts (Administration and Academics), Bursar, College Librarian, Director of Works Services, and Director of Medical and Health Services Non-Discrimination: The Act expressly prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, sex, place of birth, family origin, religion, or political persuasion in student admission, staff employment, or membership of college bodies Student Discipline: The provost has authority to restrict activities, suspend, or expel students; students may appeal disciplinary decisions to the Council within 21 days Financial Governance: The College maintains a Fund sourced from Federal Government grants, student fees, subventions, donations, endowments, and investment income; accounts are audited annually

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — the Act came into force on 17th March, 2023 following Presidential assent and was gazetted on 31st March 2023 Institutional Upgrade: The Act repeals the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos (Establishment) Act, 2018, elevating the institution to college status with degree-awarding powers Asset Transfer: All assets, liabilities, staff, and ongoing proceedings of the former institution are automatically vested in the new College Staff Continuity: All existing staff continue in their roles under their existing terms of appointment Bye-laws: The Council is empowered to make byelaws governing College operations; these take effect upon affixing the Council's seal Annual Reporting: The Council submits an annual report including audited accounts to the President through the Minister by 31 December each year

How to Access

Prospective Students: Apply for admission through the College's admissions process; quotas are agreed with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Academic & Professional Staff: Applications for academic and senior staff positions are processed through the Senior Staff Appointments and Promotions Committee; principal officer appointments are made by the Governing Council Donors & Partners: Donations of money or property may be made to the College; specific-purpose donations are held in a special reserve account pending fulfilment of the donor's conditions Regulatory Oversight: The Federal Ministry of Health provides policy directives to the Council; the Council must comply with Ministerial directives of a general or policy character Contact: Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos under the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja | fmoh.gov.ng

Important Terms

Governing Council: The supreme governing body of the College responsible for overall management, property, and finances Academic Board: The body responsible for direction of academic affairs, admissions regulation, and academic distinctions Provost: Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the College; appointed by the Council from candidates nominated by the Academic Board MLSCN: Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, the professional regulatory body whose fellowship and registration is required for key leadership roles Domestic Supply Obligation (equivalent): All licence conditions under this Act require the College to prioritise national healthcare training needs as a condition of its mandate Good Cause: Grounds for staff suspension or termination, defined to include physical/mental incapacity, scandalous conduct, or failure to discharge official duties

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria faces a critical shortage of trained medical laboratory scientists the College directly addresses this gap by producing qualified professionals The Act upgrades the institution to degree-awarding status, enabling higher-level academic and research output aligned with global standards The non-discrimination clause reinforces federal character principles, ensuring equitable access to training and employment across Nigeria's diverse population The structured governance framework Council, Academic Board, Congregation, Convocation, mirrors the best-practice models of established Nigerian federal universities and colleges Mandatory annual auditing and reporting ensures public accountability in the management of federal education funds

Official Resources

Website: fmoh.gov.ng | mlscn.gov.ng | nuc.edu.ng Legislation: Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos Act, 2022 — Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, No. 59, Vol. 110, 31st March 2023 Contact: Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Nigeria Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: FCMLST Act 2022 (Act No. 10), Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos Act 2022 establishes the College under statute. It operates under the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Act, the National Health Act 2014, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011. The National University Commission Act governs any degree-awarding provisions, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council sets the professional practice standards for graduates.