The idea of establishing a professional body of Science Technologists to manage and maintain institutional and industrial laboratories in Nigeria was proposed in July 1971 by the then Federal Commissioner of Education late Mr. A. Y. Eke. This proposal materialized when on 25th of March, 1972 the Nigerian. Institute of Science Technology (NIST) the forerunner of the present Institute was inaugurated in Ibadan. Within a few years of its existence the Institute earned for itself great recognition among science technologists working in various laboratories Of Tertiary Educational Institutions, Research Centres, Health, Industries, Petrochemicals, Agriculture and Telecommunications.

In 1994 the Institute started the processes of transformation when it directed its efforts towards obtaining statutory recognition. Towards the middle of the year 2003, the transformation processes materialized when the Act of the National Assembly No. 12 of 2003 establishing the Institute was gazetted. By the Act (as contained in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 47 of 23rd July, 2003 volume 90 pages 199-220) the former Institute has now been transformed into the new Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) and made as a Parastatal under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology now Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with its core mandate to “advance Science Laboratory Technology profession in Nigeria”

The Institute by its mandate is a professional regulatory and research Agency.

The practice of SLT is versatile and cuts across many prime sectors such as education, agriculture, industries, medicine, engineering, national security and ICT.

It is through the mandate of the Institute that science laboratories are efficiently and effectively managed in secondary schools, colleges of education, polytechnics, universities, research institutes and industries so as to ensure international best practices.

The Council of the new Institute was inaugurated on the 27th May 2004 by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology. By this, the journey of a new, transformed and empowered professional body by an enabling Act commenced. Since then, we’ve gotten five Governing Councils and at the moment the present Governing Council is Chaired by Elder Olu-Ajayi Oluranti Michael _{FISLT .}

Based on the enabling law, our flagship programmes include the following:

ü Determining the standards of knowledge, exposure to equipment, practical and skills, to be attained by persons seeking to become registered members of the profession and reviewing those standards, from time to time, as circumstances may require;

ü Registers and certifies laboratory scientists and technologists through Induction after fulfilling prescribed Examinations

ü Promoting the highest standards of competence, practice, and conduct among the members of the profession ;

ü Securing, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the establishment and maintenance of a register of members of the profession and the publication, from time to time, of the lists of those persons ;

ü Serving as an agency to secure, safeguard and advance the professional knowledge, standing, efficiency, and interests of Science Laboratory Technologists through the Council established under section 4 of this Act ;

ü Conducting examinations and granting certificates and diplomas and advising on, and assisting in examinations relating to science laboratory technology in Nigeria;

ü Researching in all the areas of Science Laboratory Technology

ü Preparing and disseminating SLT curricula for Polytechnics and Universities

ü Regulating the practice of registered and certified Laboratory Technologists

ü Conducting routine science laboratory services

ü Serving as a certifying agency through its registered members ;

ü ensuring safety standards and necessary facilities in science laboratories and workshops in Nigeria;

ü Ensuring, through its registered members, effective and efficient management and administration of all science laboratories in Nigeria ;

ü Arranging appropriate on-the-job training for members of the profession;

ü Conducting an inspection of Science Laboratories in schools, post-secondary institutions, industries, and research institutes to improve professional standards ;

ü Doing such things as may advance and promote the advancement of the profession in both the public and private sectors of the economy ;

ü Performing through the Council established under Section 4 of this Act, the functions conferred on it by this Act.

The SLT is offered as a course at both Polytechnics and some Universities in Nigeria.

The objectives of SLT programme are:

• production of highly skilled, professionally competent laboratory technologists with practical and theoretical knowledge based on an interdisciplinary approach to the sciences;

• production of science laboratory technologists with the capacity to design, develop, test, produce, and maintain devices, systems, and products that are beneficial to the human race;

• production of science laboratory technologists with the capacity to coordinate science-based experiments and research in the laboratories and workshops; among others

The admission requirements are:

UTME

• Five (5) credit level passes in senior secondary certificate (SSC) or its equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English Language obtained at not more than two (2) sittings. This is in addition to an acceptable level of a pass at the UTME.

Direct Entry (DE)

• Candidates for Direct Entry as contained in the NUC CCMAS 2022 should in addition to the senior secondary certificate requirements possess either of the following:

• National Diploma (ND) at least an overall pass at Upper Credit level in Science Laboratory Technology;

• Two Advanced Levels in any of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at one sitting.

The available options are:

· Biology Technology

· Biochemistry Technology

· Chemistry Technology

· Chemical/Petroleum Technology

· Geology/Mining Technology

· Microbiology/Biotechnology Technology

· Physics/Electronics Technology

· Physiology/Pharmacology Technology

Graduates of the programme are inducted into the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) upon completion of Mandatory Professional Examinations and become licensed in the fields of Science Laboratory Technology.