Institute faults NBTE over professionalisation of SLT

The Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT, has faulted the manner the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, is handling affairs of SLT graduates from polytechnics in the country.

The body said SLT is a professional course offered in universities and polytechnics and that the Institute is in charge of licensing practitioners in the sector.

In a statement by Yemi H. Gbadegesin, the Director General/Registrar of the NISLT, the Institute listed some missteps taken by the NBTE boss to include top up degree programmes that were not done in consultation with the National Universities Commission, NUC, unfulfilled Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signed by the board with the Institute among others.

“NBTE signed an MOU with NISLT. Despite several requests from NISLT to review the MoU in line with its provisions, NBTE has ignored these calls. The MoU requires that any disagreement between NISLT and NBTE be resolved by a joint committee. NBTE has violated this MoU, particularly in institutions offering SLT programmes, although the MoU acknowledges the importance of NISLT licensure.

“Unregistered SLT Lecturers: Shockingly, 90% of SLT lecturers in polytechnics are not registered members of NISLT, which goes against the mandate of the Institute. This malpractice is being condoned by NBTE.

“Licensure Requirement: No professional in Nigeria, including lawyers, teachers, engineers, medical professionals, and SLT practitioners, can legally practice without a valid license. The Institute ensures that SLT professionals have demonstrated the necessary knowledge, skills, and adherence to legal regulations through examinations as per the NISLT Act. NBTE’s actions are undermining these legal frameworks and promoting unlicensed practices, which is tantamount to supporting quackery,” the release stated.

The Institute also faulted NBTE’s development and release of the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) for licensed professionals contradicts the Acts that establish professional bodies in Nigeria.

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