Controversy Erupts Over Appointment of Dr. Babajide Salako as Chairman of MLSCN Board
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has raised objections and rejected the recent appointment of Dr. Babajide Salako as the Chairman of the Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).
The association contends that Salako's appointment violates the establishment law of MLSCN, as he lacks the required qualifications of being a fellow of the body or a certified practitioner of medical laboratory science.
The appointment, made by President Bola Tinubu as part of leadership changes in the health and social welfare sector, has sparked controversy within the medical community. Alongside Salako, Dr. Tosan Erhabor was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of MLSCN.
In a press briefing held in Abuja, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, the President of the association, stated, “We, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, object and reject the said appointment because it is a breach of the law establishing the Council."
Dr. Ifeanyi cited Section 3, Subsection 1(a) of the MLSCN establishment law, which specifies that the Chairman of the Board must be a qualified Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria with five years post-qualification experience.
He further emphasized that Salako does not meet the criteria outlined in the law, raising concerns about the appointment's legality and compliance with established procedures.
The association has called on the National Assembly to launch an investigation into Salako's appointment, urging adherence to the law and proper procedure in filling leadership positions within regulatory bodies like MLSCN.
The controversy surrounding Salako's appointment underscores the importance of upholding regulatory standards and ensuring that leadership appointments align with established laws and qualifications, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
