The Senate has approved a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in Jos, Plateau State, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and diagnostic capacity.
The bill, which was earlier passed by the House of Representatives, received the Senate’s concurrence during Tuesday’s plenary after lawmakers, sitting as the Committee of the Whole led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, unanimously endorsed it.
According to the proposed law, the university will train medical laboratory scientists, promote biomedical research and innovation, and produce skilled professionals to improve disease diagnosis and boost Nigeria’s health security.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support the legislation, describing it as a key intervention for Nigeria’s health and education sectors.
The Senate also approved the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2026. It also passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Argungu, Kebbi State.
The House of Representatives had argued that the specialised university would improve local diagnostic services and help reduce the growing number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment.
Reacting to the development, Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, Prof. Sunday Etukudoh, described the Senate’s approval as a major milestone for Nigeria’s health sector.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s weak diagnostic capacity, stressing that strengthening medical laboratory education is vital to national health security and scientific independence.
Etukudoh urged the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of the university, saying the institution is crucial for the country’s healthcare future.
He disclosed that the proposed permanent site already has modern classrooms, an electronic library, administrative buildings, and advanced diagnostic and research laboratories. However, he noted that student hostels remain a major gap.
The provost also encouraged students to embrace artificial intelligence, saying emerging technologies will play a key role in the future of medical diagnostics and healthcare delivery.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended senators for their support, saying the passage of the bill reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to national development.
The Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, began as a training unit in 1954 before becoming a federal college in 2006. It has trained thousands of medical laboratory scientists serving across Nigeria.
Health experts believe upgrading the institution to a university will strengthen biomedical research, improve disease surveillance, reduce medical tourism, and help Nigeria build greater self-reliance in healthcare.
