How to Check Whether a Laboratory Is Properly Licensed
Search the MLSCN reference for the exact laboratory name and address, then contact the Council about any mismatch or unclear status.
Quick answer
Use the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) resources to check whether a laboratory appears in its published approved-laboratory information. Match the exact name and location, and contact MLSCN or the laboratory if details are unclear. Do not treat a HealthFacilities.ng listing or a signboard as proof of current approval.
Check the correct laboratory
Search the MLSCN registered and approved laboratories page and compare the laboratory name, address and any identifier shown. Similar names can refer to different branches. Ask whether the exact location is covered by the record and whether its status is current.
The council’s IVD regulatory portal describes MLSCN’s statutory role in regulating medical laboratory science practice and in-vitro diagnostic products. If you cannot find the laboratory, contact the regulator through its official contact details rather than relying on a broker or an unofficial screenshot.
Ask about the test as well
Approval or registration does not guarantee that the laboratory performs your test today or can return a result by a particular time. Call the exact branch and confirm the test, sample process, request requirements, fees and report arrangements. Ask who can explain a result and how it will reach the clinician who requested it.
HealthFacilities.ng can help you search published records by area, but it does not currently verify laboratory licences. The facility directory is a starting point, not a regulatory decision.
If a record does not match
Keep a note of the name, address and date you checked. Ask the laboratory or MLSCN to clarify discrepancies. Avoid paying through an unverified personal account or sharing medical records with an unknown contact.
If the name or address does not match, do not conclude from a search result alone that the laboratory is approved or unapproved. Ask the provider for its registered name and identifier, then contact MLSCN through its official channels to resolve the difference. Keep a note of the branch and date you checked, since a record may be updated or the provider may use a different legal name.
Sources and further reading
- About the IVD regulatory portal · Medical Laboratory Science Council of NigeriaExplains the Council’s role; does not verify an individual facility’s status.
- Registered and approved laboratories · Medical Laboratory Science Council of NigeriaOfficial reference page; match exact branch and confirm current status.
Health information here is general and does not replace advice from a qualified health professional. Directory records do not confirm that a facility is open or offers a particular service today. Contact the facility before travelling.