The member representing Langtang North in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Nanbol Listick Daniel, has called for the immediate removal of the Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science Technology (FCMLST), Jos, Prof. Sunday N. Etukudoh. The lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on Labor and Security and serves as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Health, made this call during an interview in Jos.
Hon. Nanbol, a trained medical laboratory scientist and expert in health legislation, voiced concerns over the management of the institution under Prof. Etukudoh’s leadership. He argued that the Provost’s performance has been below average, noting that the institution has deteriorated over the years. He emphasized that the provost had overstayed his tenure, which he believes has hindered the institution from running at its full potential.
“The public service rule is very clear. After serving for a certain number of years, an individual should be suspended and properly investigated. Prof. Etukudoh has been in office for 17 years, well beyond the recommended tenure. His leadership has caused the institution to suffer, and his recent reappointment was an error that needs to be corrected,” Hon. Nanbol stated.
The Plateau lawmaker also raised concerns over the accreditation and legitimacy of some of the programs being run by the institution, especially the degree programs that, according to him, are against the regulations of the National Universities Commission (NUC). He expressed fears that parents and students may be misled into enrolling in unapproved programs.
In his statement, Hon. Nanbol reiterated that the Ministry of Health, which oversees the institution, should intervene immediately. He urged the ministry to suspend Prof. Etukudoh and conduct a thorough investigation into the institution’s operations.
He also called on the NUC and relevant regulatory bodies to scrutinize the qualifications of individuals holding academic positions and ensure proper oversight of the institution.
The FCMLST, established in 1954 by the Federal Ministry of Health, has been a key player in providing middle-level manpower for the health sector. However, according to Hon. Nanbol, its potential has not been fully realized due to issues of mismanagement and lack of proper governance under the current leadership.
The lawmaker concluded by urging the authorities to take swift action to restore the integrity of the college and ensure that it operates in line with the appropriate standards and regulations.
