The Federal Medical Laboratory Science College of Nigeria (FMLSCN) in Jos Plateau State,has historically been an essential establishment for the education and regulation of medical laboratory professionals in Nigeria.
Over the years, the college has played a pivotal role in training experts in medical laboratory science, a field that is crucial for accurate medical diagnoses and the overall quality of healthcare outcomes.
However, in recent times, the institution has encountered a range of administrative difficulties, regulatory oversights, and serious allegations of mismanagement, prompting concerns regarding its governance and compliance with public service regulations.
At the heart of these issues is Dr. Sunday N.Etukudo, the Provost and CEO of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science (FCMLS). A prominent figure in the medical education landscape, Dr. Etukudo has managed the institution for several decades.
His nearly five-decade career is distinguished by his efforts to elevate the FMLSCN into one of Nigeria’s leading monotechnic institutions for medical laboratory science. Nonetheless, his leadership has increasingly faced scrutiny due to claims of corruption, misconduct, and negligence of regulatory standards.
Critics assert that Dr. Etukudo’s extended tenure contravenes civil service regulations, which mandate that public servants should retire from leadership positions after eight years of service.
Despite having reached the statutory retirement age, he was reappointed by Former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2022 for a second term, intensifying allegations of irregularities surrounding his continued tenure.
Civil society organizations and stakeholders have expressed grave concerns, noting that Dr. Etukudo has held leadership roles for over 17 years while being in public service for more than 46 years.
They argue that this prolonged leadership undermines initiatives to introduce new management and innovative ideas within the institution.
Among the most pressing issues surrounding Dr. Etukudo’s leadership is the unauthorized offering of degree programs by the college.
As a monotechnic institution, FMLSCN does not possess the legal authority to confer degrees; nevertheless, it has enrolled students in unaccredited programs, issuing degrees that lack recognition from any professional body or university. This situation has caused significant distress among students who were misled into believing they were earning valid qualifications
In light of these controversies,Hon. Nanbol Listick Daniel, a qualified medical laboratory scientist and public theologian and Honourable member representing the Langtang North Central constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, has emerged as a vocal critic of Dr. Etukudo’s administration.
His dual expertise in governance and medical science has lent credibility to his criticisms of Dr. Ekutudo’s leadership at FCMLS.
As Chair of the Plateau State House Committee on Health, Labor, and Security, Hon. Daniel has actively sought to expose the college’s regulatory infractions and advocate for meaningful reform.
In an exclusive interview, Hon. Listick detailed the extent of the challenges besetting FMLSCN under Dr. Etukudo’s stewardship.
He underscored that the Provost’s extended time in office contravenes the very regulations governing public service, stating, “The civil service rules are clear—no one should hold a leadership role for more than eight years. Dr. Etukudo has been in this position far too long, and it is clear that this has had a detrimental effect on the institution.”
Furthermore, Hon. Daniel expressed serious concerns regarding the illegal degree programs being offered at the college.
“This is a gross violation of the students’ rights. They have been misled into thinking they were pursuing accredited degrees, only to discover that these qualifications are worthless. This malpractice has ruined many careers and tarnished the reputation of the institution.”he noted.
Financial mismanagement is another serious concern raised by the Honorable. He pointed out that millions of naira allocated for the development of the institution have not been accounted for, suggesting deliberate misuse of public funds.
He expressed outrage over the situation, stating,“Dr. Ekutudo has overstayed his time and is now running the institution as a personal fiefdom,.The corruption runs deep—he has borrowed equipment to stage audits, manipulated recruitment processes, and used public resources for personal gain. All of this has been at the expense of the students and the future of medical laboratory science in Nigeria.”
the Honorable further disclosed that Dr. Ekutudo had abused his authority in multiple ways, including tampering with employee records to keep loyal staff members in influential positions. This manipulation extends to the institution’s finances.
He recounted instances where funds allocated for crucial infrastructure development, such as acquiring advanced diagnostic equipment for DNA testing and forensic analysis, were diverted or misused under Dr. Ekutudo’s leadership.
“Public service should never be a personal fiefdom. What we see here is a blatant disregard for the rules, and it is preventing the institution from moving forward,” he stated.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Labor and Security, Hon. Daniel has actively called for Dr. Etukudo’s suspension and a thorough investigation into the college’s governance.
He has petitioned the Ministry of Health, urging prompt action to restore public confidence in the institution. “We cannot allow someone who has presided over so much mismanagement to remain in power. A full investigation must be conducted, and until then, Dr. Etukudo must be suspended to allow for a fair and transparent process,” he argued.
In addition to advocating for Dr. Etukudo’s suspension, Hon. Daniel has called for a complete restructuring of the institution’s leadership framework. He stressed the need for transparency, regulatory compliance, and ethical governance to restore the college’s credibility.
“The college has a vital role to play in the training of medical laboratory scientists, and we cannot let it be derailed by corruption and mismanagement. We need leaders who will put the institution and the students first,” he emphasized.
Hon. Daniel’s interview proposed various solutions to the ongoing crisis at FMLSCN, focusing on institutional reform and a stricter adherence to public service regulations.
His recommendations include conducting a full audit of the institution’s finances, an immediate cessation of the unauthorized degree programs, and a comprehensive reevaluation of the institution’s leadership framework.
“We cannot allow this to happen again. The only way forward is through accountability. If the college is to regain its former glory, we must ensure that its leadership is committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the well-being of students.This fight is not just mine, it is for everyone who believes in justice and fairness in our education system. Together, we must demand better.” He said.
