The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has emerged from a prolonged leadership crisis following the successful conduct of its rescheduled national election held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Pavilion, Council Secretariat, Durumi, Abuja.
The election, which was widely described by stakeholders as peaceful, transparent, and credible, marked a significant turning point for the Association after months of internal turmoil that threatened its cohesion and relevance within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
The crisis that engulfed AMLSN stemmed from a protracted leadership dispute triggered by a court ruling invoked by Dr. Uche Odionyenma, who laid claim to the national presidency of the Association. This development followed the November 18, 2023 national election in Abuja, which produced Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi as the 15th National President of AMLSN.
Dr. Odionyenma’s claim was anchored on his assertion of being the 14th National President of the Association—a position that had already been occupied and completed by Prof. James Darmen, whose tenure ran from November 20, 2020 to November 20, 2023. Prof. Darmen had formally handed over following the expiration of his single term.
However, following the court ruling, Dr. Odionyenma was sworn in by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Association, Dr. Adunni Udu on June 2024, effectively displacing Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi. This action plunged the Association into deep leadership crisis, with Dr. Casmir maintaining that he was the legitimately elected 15th National President and refusing to vacate his mandate in favour of what he described as a claim to an already expired tenure.
Dr.. Casmir Ifeanyi in a meeting leading advocacy for Medical Laboratory Science, sometime last year
The resulting impasse led to factionalization, stalled programmes, and growing concern among members and healthcare stakeholders nationwide.
In a bid to restore stability, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare constituted a Ministerial Reconciliation Committee to intervene in the crisis. After extensive consultations with all parties, the Committee resolved that a fresh, all-inclusive national election be conducted to finally settle the leadership dispute and reunify the Association.
Consequently, February 7, 2026 was fixed for the rescheduled election.
The presidential election was keenly contested, with Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi once again facing his long-time rival from the 2023 polls, Prof. Abidemi Muhibi. In what observers described as a tense but orderly process, Dr. Casmir emerged victorious, polling 185 votes against Prof. Muhibi’s 171 votes, a narrow margin of 14 votes.
Other national offices were also contested, with the results announced in favour of the winners by the Ad-hoc National Electoral Committee (ANEC).
The election was conducted by the Ad-hoc National Electoral Committee (ANEC) chaired by the Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Donald Ofili, whose leadership drew commendations from delegates and observers alike for ensuring strict adherence to due process and professional standards.
Security agencies, electoral monitors, and senior members of the profession were present throughout the exercise, lending further credibility to the outcome.
Dr. Casmir and his team of the newly elected NEOs pose in a photograph with the Acting Registrar of MLSCN
With the conclusion of the election, attention has now shifted to the task of reconciliation and institutional rebuilding. Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi and the newly elected National Executive Officers (NEOs) are expected to embark on an aggressive reunification drive to heal divisions, restore trust, and reposition AMLSN as a strong, unified professional body.
The new leadership will serve a constitutionally guaranteed single three-year term, during which it is expected to pursue reforms, strengthen professional advocacy, enhance members’ welfare, and restore the Association’s voice in national health policy discourse.
Many members see the election as the beginning of a long-awaited rebirth for an Association that had remained largely dormant in recent years due to internal strife.
As one senior delegate noted, “This election is not about winners and losers. It is about saving AMLSN and giving our profession a future.”
Damilola Ogunsoya reports from Abuja.
