The Senate has passed a bill to establish the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in Jos, Plateau State, as part of efforts to improve disease diagnosis, strengthen healthcare services and reduce the number of Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad.
The bill was approved during plenary after lawmakers unanimously supported it while the Senate sat as the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The proposed legislation had earlier been passed by the House of Representatives before it was transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
The new university will focus on training medical laboratory scientists, promoting biomedical research and innovation, and producing skilled professionals to improve disease detection and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The institution is also expected to enhance the country’s ability to respond to public health challenges through improved diagnostic services.
While presenting the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support it alongside two other bills affecting the health and education sectors.
The Senate subsequently passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos (Establishment) Bill, 2026, and the Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The upper chamber also passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Arugungu, Kebbi State.
Before the Senate’s approval, members of the House of Representatives argued that the specialised university would improve access to quality healthcare by strengthening local diagnostic services.
They also said the institution would help reduce the increasing number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment due to gaps in the country’s healthcare system.
