Benefits of Studying Medical Laboratory Science in Nigeria

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)  is one of the courses offered by most medical faculties in Nigeria.

Some young Nigerians study Medical Laboratory Science because they have a genuine interest in research and laboratory work. For some others, Medical Laboratory Science is a course that they can study based on their UTME and Screening aggregates. 

Whichever category you fall into, it won’t hurt to know more about the prospects of people who have studied Medical Laboratory Science in Nigeria.

In this article, I will explore facts about the medical laboratory science profession in Nigeria, including salary and job prospects. I would also go over some important questions young people have about the profession that can help prepare them for the future. 

If this sounds like something you are interested in then you are welcome to explore this topic with me.

About Medical Laboratory Science 

Let us start by clarifying what Medical laboratory science actually is. Medical Laboratory science also known as clinical laboratory science is a profession that involves using scientific methods to conduct tests, interpret data from testing, and diagnose diseases based on data from the tests.

The data obtained from the tests are useful to health professionals, research institutes, and pharmaceutical or biotechnology firms where they work.

From what I have described above it is clear that a medical laboratory scientist performs health-related research work.

Is Medical Laboratory Science a Good Course to Study in Nigeria?

Yes, studying Medical Laboratory Science provides career opportunities in the health sector. It is also possible to start your own business after completing your internship which is a big positive if you live in Nigeria.

Best Universities to study Medical Laboratory Science in Nigeria

Many schools offer medical laboratory science in Nigeria. I would list the top 10 Medical Laboratory Science programs in the country.

To offer Medical Laboratory Science programs, higher institutions have to enjoy accreditation from the MLSCN. The MLSCN would also give accredited institutions a quota which is the number of students the school is expected to grant admission.

Methodology: I selected top programs based on their accreditation and the quality of the academic program offered.

Rank	Name of University	Accreditation status	Quota
1	University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus	Full	80
2	University of Lagos	Full	75
3	Madonna University	Full	126
4	University of Ibadan	Full	50
5	University of Benin	Full	85
6	Ladoke Akintola University of Technology	Full	75
7	Bayero University Kano	Full	80
8	University of Calabar	Full	100
9	Nnamdi Azikiwe University	Full	100
10	Afe Babalola University	Full	100

Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) was established by Act 11 of 2003 as the regulatory body for medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria. 

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria is responsible for registering and licensing practitioners in Nigeria. They perform inspection, accreditation, monitoring, evaluation, and certification of medical laboratory equipment. Regulating the training of medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria is one of their responsibilities.

The current chairman of the MLSCN is Professor Mohammed Yelwa Gwarzo while the registrar is Dr. Tosan Erhabor.

How to get a Medical Laboratory Science Practising Licence in Nigeria

To get licensed as a medical laboratory scientist in Nigeria, follow the steps below

For Nigerian-trained graduates, do the following:

• Complete your 5-year MLS training at a higher institution accredited by the MLSCN and get inducted.

• After induction, you would be given a provisional registration to undergo a one-year internship under the supervision of a consultant or senior medical laboratory scientist.

• The provisional registration terminates once you present your original Logbook, endorsed by your supervisor which serves as proof that you have completed the internship to the MLSCN.

Note that you cannot set up your own practice with the temporary Licence.

• If your internship was completed successfully and to the satisfaction of the council, you would be given full registration and a Licence.

• You will be registered as an associate member of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.

For foreign-trained graduates;

• After completing your foreign degree program, you would be required to pass a licensing exam set by the council.

• If you are successful you will be given full registration status to practice in Nigeria

The MLSCN also has a licensing portal at http://portal.mlscn.gov.ng/

How Many Years Does it Take to Study Medical Laboratory Science at a Nigerian University?

Medical Laboratory Science is a 5-year degree program in Nigeria.

What are the Requirements for JAMB for Medical Laboratory Science?

If you want to be admitted into MLS programs you need to take English Language, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology in the UTME exams.

Benefits of Studying Medical Laboratory Science in Nigeria

Just like many other courses, several benefits come with bagging an MLS degree. I will outline a few of them that I feel you should know below

Ability to start your own practice

I am not going to even pretend like there are so many corporate jobs waiting for you as an MLS graduate in Nigeria. But the sweet thing about having an MLS degree is that you can start your own laboratory. All you need to do is meet regulatory requirements.

You can land a job in the healthcare sector

The Nigerian healthcare sector still holds opportunities for medical laboratory scientists. You can work with hospitals, research institutes, and diagnostic centers in Nigeria.

You can also work on getting a job abroad

It is possible to find a job in foreign countries like the United States, UK, etc. There are regulatory requirements you have to meet though.

If you are wondering whether you will get a job or not, well, there is a high demand for health professionals in developed countries. All you need to do is meet regulatory requirements for the country where you would want to work.

What Can I become if I study Medical Laboratory Science?

There are some jobs you can get with a medical laboratory science degree in Nigeria. I would list some of the job titles below;

• Medical Laboratory Scientist- With a degree in Medical laboratory science, you are qualified to work in clinics or research institutes. You would examine specimens from patients and provide insights to other health professionals especially doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

• Lecturer- As a medical laboratory scientist, you can pursue a career in academia to train other young medical laboratory scientists. This may require further study and specialization. 

• Medical laboratory technician- This also involves tasks like carrying out tests on patients on behalf of doctors. The main difference from a medical laboratory scientist is that the latter are expected to be able to perform more complex scientific tasks. Medical laboratory technicians often work under the supervision of medical laboratory scientists.

• Medical sales representative- Medical sales representatives possess practical knowledge of some medical products or services. This is thanks to their professional training in related fields. As a medical laboratory scientist, you can be instrumental in selling products or services to hospitals, laboratories, or research institutes in Nigeria.

Branches of Medical Laboratory Science

There are several branches of medical laboratory science. I will go over some important branches below.

• Clinical microbiology- This involves the study of microorganisms to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases caused by them.

• Clinical biochemistry- This involves the analyses of the chemical components of body fluids to diagnose, prevent or treat health-related issues. Clinical biochemistry can help detect things like blood sugar levels, lipid levels, hormone levels, protein levels, etc.

• Haematology- This is concerned with the analysis of blood samples to diagnose and prevent diseases related to human blood.

• Immunology- This refers to the study of the immune system which the body uses to defend itself against diseases. This kind of study helps to detect and treat health issues related to the immune system such as autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity, immune deficiency, etc.

• Toxicology- This branch studies the effect of toxic substances on the human body and their adverse effects on human health.

• Molecular diagnostics- This involves analyzing the human DNA or RNA for any signs or patterns that can lead to or be responsible for diseases.

Medical Laboratory Scientist Salary

An entry-level Medical laboratory Scientist earns about N100,000 on average. You can enjoy higher salaries as you gain more experience.

Skills you should have as a lab scientist

To thrive as a professional medical laboratory scientist, there are skills you should have. I will outline some key skills that would help you thrive in your career as a medical laboratory scientist below;

• Dexterity- Medical laboratory scientists work with lab equipment all the time. This requires some level of dexterity to perform their duties effectively.

• Attention to detail- Working in a medical laboratory involves working with data and specimens and this requires a cautious attitude and professionalism.

• Physical stamina- Medical laboratory scientists in large organizations may have to work for prolonged periods. This results in some degree of physical exertion which the medical laboratory scientist should be able to endure while working

• Critical thinking- Carrying out research involves mental effort and critical thinking ability. Medical laboratory scientists should be able to collect, analyze, and report data for the benefit of their organization.

• Communication skills- Medical laboratory scientists need excellent communication skills to work with other professionals. They should be able to communicate effectively with patients if the need arises.

All these skills are in addition to technical skills such as knowledge of chemistry, hematology, sampling, and microbiology.

Can a Medical Laboratory Scientist Become a Doctor in Nigeria?

Yes. It is possible to become a medical doctor but you would have to obtain an MBBS degree. As a medical laboratory scientist, you might gain Direct entry admission into an MBBS program in Nigeria.

However, a medical laboratory scientist is not licensed to work as a medical doctor in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Medical laboratory Science is an important field that plays a key role in the Nigerian healthcare sector. It can also provide global career opportunities for graduates in Nigeria and more developed countries.

If you are considering studying medical laboratory science at the university, you should be interested in research work and be ready to build technical skills in science-focused subjects such as biology, chemistry, experimentation, etc.

You are welcome to ask questions in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

I will go over some frequently asked questions you might have about Medical Laboratory Science.

Which is better, Medical Laboratory Technology or Medical Laboratory Science?

A Medical Laboratory Science degree is considered higher than a Medical laboratory technician degree or diploma because it reflects a higher level of training that enables them to carry out complex research tasks in the health sector.

Is Medical Laboratory Science accredited in UNILAG?

Yes. The University of Lagos enjoys full accreditation to offer Medical laboratory science from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)

Can I Change from Medical Laboratory Science to Nursing?

Yes. It is possible to change to Nursing from Medical Laboratory Science but it depends on the University and if the department of Nursing admits transfer students.

Are Medical Laboratory Scientists in Demand in the U.S.A?

Yes, medical laboratory scientists have job openings in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there would be an average of 24,000 job openings for clinical laboratory scientists in the United States. So, there is a considerable demand.

However, to work in the U.S;

• Your credentials have to be screened by the CGFNS
• You would also have to pass a qualifying exam before you are qualified to work in the U.S

How Much are Medical Laboratory Scientists Paid in the UK?

The average pay for a medical laboratory scientist in the UK ranges from ￡39,560 to ￡66,231. Your income would depend on your level of experience working in the UK.

Which Country Pays Medical Laboratory Scientists the Most?

Switzerland is considered the country that pays medical laboratory scientists the most. Medical laboratory scientists in Switzerland earn as much as $81,969 per year. 

Is Pharmacy Better than Medical Laboratory Science?

Both Pharmacy and medical laboratory science are good courses to study. However, if you are going to pursue your career in Nigeria, Pharmacy offers more career opportunities than medical laboratory science.

But more career opportunities don’t necessarily mean significantly higher pay so it is important to know how much pharmacists earn in Nigeria.

What is the Best Job for a Medical Laboratory Scientist?

The ideal job for most medical laboratory scientists is a job as a medical laboratory scientist at a reputable health facility or research center.

Is Medical Laboratory Science hard?

Medical laboratory Science is a challenging course to study. It involves a deep dive into science subjects and a lot of practical work in the laboratory.