UNILAG Prof. Kolawole Oyedeji Appointed to Lead Ethics and Research at Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria

In a significant development for Nigeria’s medical laboratory science sector, Professor Kolawole Solomon Oyedeji of the University of Lagos has been appointed as the Chairman of the Ethics, Research, and Publication Committee of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). The appointment, officially announced at the committee's inauguration on October 10, 2024, at the National Reference Laboratory in Lagos, highlights a strategic move to enhance the quality and global visibility of the Council’s regulatory activities.

Prof. Oyedeji, a distinguished expert in Research Ethics and Bioethics, is currently the Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. He also chairs the Initiative of Medical Diagnostic Awareness (IMDA), a role that underscores his commitment to improving medical diagnostic services in Nigeria. His leadership in this new position is expected to drive significant advancements in ethical standards and research quality within the medical laboratory science field.

The newly formed committee boasts a diverse array of professionals, including Professor Evarista Osime as Vice-Chairman and Barrister Ewama Ugomma as Secretary, alongside other members who bring a broad range of expertise, ensuring a well-rounded approach to ethical research and regulatory oversight.

During the inauguration, MLSCN Registrar, Professor Tosan Erhabor, emphasized the importance of the committee’s work, urging its members to elevate the Council's regulatory role both nationally and across the West African region. He stressed that the committee’s activities would be instrumental in setting new benchmarks for medical laboratory science in Nigeria and beyond.

In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Oyedeji expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver on its mandate, thanks to the exceptional qualifications and dedication of its members. This signals a promising future for ethical practices and research within Nigeria’s medical laboratory landscape.

Congratulating Prof. Oyedeji, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, extended her best wishes for his tenure, emphasizing the importance of his role in shaping the future of medical laboratory science in the country.

With this appointment, the MLSCN is poised for an era of innovation and excellence in safeguarding public health through improved laboratory standards and research integrity.