Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology moves closer to becoming a reality after the Senate approves a bill establishing the specialised institution in Jos, Plateau State, in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, biomedical research and disease diagnosis.
The legislation, previously passed by the House of Representatives, secures Senate approval during Tuesday’s plenary after lawmakers consider and adopt it at the Committee of the Whole.
The proposed university is expected to train medical laboratory scientists, expand biomedical research, improve diagnostic capacity and enhance Nigeria’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks and other public health challenges.
Presenting the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele describes it as one of several legislative measures aimed at strengthening the country’s health and education sectors.
During the same plenary, the Senate also passes the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and advances a bill seeking to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Argungu, Kebbi State, for second reading.
Reacting to the approval, the Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, Prof. Sunday Etukudoh, welcomes the development, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He urges the Federal Government to ensure the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology begins operations without unnecessary delay.
According to Etukudoh, the proposed institution already has critical infrastructure, including modern lecture halls, an electronic library and advanced diagnostic and biomedical research laboratories.
He, however, appeals for the construction of student hostels to support the institution’s transition into a full-fledged university.
Etukudoh also encourages students and medical laboratory professionals to embrace artificial intelligence, saying emerging technologies will play an increasingly important role in disease diagnosis, laboratory medicine and healthcare delivery.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu