The acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Donald Ibe, has urged all medical laboratories in Nigeria to adopt accreditation as a strategic tool for achieving international recognition and improving healthcare delivery.
Dr. Ibe made the call during the 2025 World Accreditation Day, themed ‘Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)’, saying the theme was particularly relevant, as many medical laboratories in Nigeria operate as SMEs whose services are vital to public health.
He emphasised that accreditation is not a requirement that any medical laboratory in Nigeria should take lightly, as it is essential for the global acceptance and credibility of the country’s laboratory results.
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“Accreditation enhances credibility, expands market access, and ensures that medical test results are accepted beyond Nigeria’s borders,” he noted
He pointed out that adopting the ISO 15189:2022 standard enables laboratories to compete globally, attract new partnerships, and align with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Beyond credibility, he added, accreditation encourages innovation by pushing labs to adopt new technologies and improve diagnostic practices, supporting government efforts to strengthen the health system and improve access to quality care.
Dr. Ibe assured that MLSCN is ready to support both public and private laboratories on their accreditation journey through technical guidance, capacity building, and streamlined processes.
“Our goal is to instil a national culture of quality and position Nigerian labs to meet global standards,” he stressed.