DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
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) was inaugurated in Ibadan. In 1984, when the City and Guilds Institute of London withdrew from conducting examinations for oversea candidates, the Nigerian Institute of Science Technology (NIST) took up the responsibility of conducting the examination in Science Laboratory Technology in Nigeria leading to the award of intermediate and final diploma of three (3) year and two (2) year duration respectively.
The OND Science Laboratory Technology programme initially in Yaba college of Technology was domiciled in the Science Technology Department comprising of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with Electronics units. These units later became fully fledged departments in 1998. The National Diploma (ND) Science Laboratory Technology Program equips students with the fundamental skills and techniques for standard science laboratory procedures. Science Laboratory Technology Program focuses on the basic principles of the biological, chemical & physical sciences and general laboratory techniques.
The Department of Science Laboratory Technology was carved out of the department of Chemical Science in August 2019 to award National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology. Dr Oluseun E. Popoola was appointed as the pioneer HOD on the 26th of August, 2020. The department commenced operations immediately from her office and a clerical officer was deployed to join her after two weeks. Fifteen Academic staff were deployed from the departments of Biological Science, Chemical Science and Physical Science two months later.
The young department was Re-accredited in December, 2019 by the National Board for Technical Education. Additional seven staff members were given appointment in February 2020 bringing the Academic staff strength to twenty three.
