Efficient Policy Matrix Must Be In Place: Acting DG, NISLT

The Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria (ASLTON), in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), organized its 40th Annual National Conference and Scientific Workshop.

The national conference and scientific workshop were held at the CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between Monday, 3rd November 2025, and Friday, 7th November 2025, with the theme, “Efficient Policy Matrix: A Pathway to Sustainability and Productivity of the Science Laboratory Profession”.

In his opening speech, the Acting Director General, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Dr. Peter Adefisoye Oluwafisoye (FISLT), said the 40th edition of the national conference marks a significant milestone, a testament to resilience, unity, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Science Laboratory Technology in Nigeria.

As the celebration of forty years of continuous engagement and progress is put in motion today, let all Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) professionals rededicate themselves to the ideals of the profession, discipline, innovation, integrity, and excellence, he said.

While welcoming participants to RIVERS 2025 and wishing them a very fruitful deliberation on behalf of the Management of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, the Acting Director General, prayed that the outcomes of the conference should strengthen the resolve of participants to uphold the standards of Science Laboratory Technology as an essential driver of Nigeria’s scientific and industrial advancement.

The Acting Director General of the Institute stated that since he assumed the mantle of leadership exactly six months ago, the Institute has continued to build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessors through the support received from all the past Council Chairmen to consolidate on previous achievements and insisted that new strategies must be put in place, aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening regulations, deepening professional development across all sectors, building bridges among members of staff and other stakeholders.

He was quick to state that the Management Team of the Institute, in collaboration with key stakeholders, have been working tirelessly to reposition the Institute in line with its statutory mandate, “To Advance Science Laboratory Technology Profession” through education, practice and innovation nationwide to enhance professionalism, accreditation of laboratory quality assurance, expansion of job opportunities, and promotion of policies that drive sustainability and productivity in the Science Laboratory profession.

Dr. Peter Adefisoye Oluwafisoye opined that the theme of this year’s conference could not be more apt. It underscores a key national and professional concern in the area of well-structured, evidence-based, and efficiently implemented policies to sustain the growth and productivity of Science Laboratory Technologists and Scientists in Nigeria.

An efficient policy matrix serves as a compass that aligns institutional vision with professional practice, he said, stating that without coherent policy direction, efforts toward innovation, research, and manpower development risk becoming fragmented or unsustainable.

The Acting DG further said that opportunity to examine existing policies, identify gaps, and collectively design strategies that will promote a sustainable, productive, and globally competitive Science Laboratory Technology profession has come, noting that several policy documents have already been developed and forwarded to relevant government agencies for consideration and that the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology would continue to play a pivotal role in formulating and enforcing policies that promote professionalism, competence, and ethical standards in laboratory practice across Nigeria.

Commending NISLT’s professional partner, under the able leadership of Pastor Ayotunde Omorilewa (FISLT), the National President of ASLTON, for its continuous collaboration and support, Dr. Peter Adefisoye Oluwafisoye said the partnership continues to exemplify the indispensable bond between regulation and advocacy, both working together to promote excellence, ethics, and welfare among practitioners of Science Laboratory Technology nationwide, a kind of synergy that represents a model of collaborative governance in the Science Laboratory Technology profession, which ensures that policies are effectively translated into impactful practice.

He mentioned that 26 universities are currently running Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) degree programmes, 19 of which he said are officially recognized by the Institute, while 7 or more are yet to be formally captured. Several polytechnics are also running SLT at both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels.

The Acting Director General of NISLT stated that the profession continues to face challenges, including but not limited to inadequate laboratory infrastructure, limited research funding, limited integration into national policy frameworks, and uneven recognition within the science and innovation ecosystem.

He, however, said that the challenges present opportunities to strengthen evidence-based policy formulation and implementation within the SLT sector; encourage inter-agency collaboration between regulators, academia, and industry; mainstream laboratory policy development into the national science, technology, and innovation framework; and prioritize continuous professional development to align our workforce with global best practices and rethink the structures on the ground, strengthen policy coherence, and deepen collaboration with government, academia, and industry.

To overcome these challenges, the Acting Director General said an efficient policy matrix must be in place to ensure that the Science Laboratory Technology profession not only survives but thrives in a rapidly evolving scientific and technological landscape as professionals are called to create and sustain an environment where every Science Laboratory Technology professional contributes meaningfully to national development through professional excellence, ethical conduct and innovative practice.

He urged all participants at the conference to engage thoughtfully in the sessions, share experiences, and develop actionable resolutions, while reminding them that sound policies are the backbone of sustainable institutions, and that productive professionals are the engines of national growth.

The future, the Acting DG also said, could be better secured for the SLT profession and our nation through efficiency and collaboration.