The Society of Testing Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria (SOTLAN) has raised concern over the increased use of foreign laboratories for analysis due to a perceived lack of capacity in the local laboratories.

The President of SOTLAN, Prof Gbenga Ogunmoyela, appealed to the federal government and relevant stakeholders to empower local analytical laboratories through capacity development initiative.

This he noted will reduce products rejected at the international market and capital flight as well as forestall a recurrence of importation of adulterated petroleum products.

Ogunmoyela said this during the 4th annual conference of public analysts themed, building capacity for global competitiveness of testing laboratories held in Lagos.

According to him, out of the over 1,200 public analysts in the country, there are only 50 analytical laboratories to work on the samples in the food, pharmaceutical, medical devices, environment and petroleum products sectors.

"Many of them lack the capacity and are struggling," he stated.

He identified infrastructural challenges, constantly rising cost of imported equipment and reagent as the major setbacks in the sector.

"Nigeria can no longer afford to have its analytical laboratories ill-equipped in the face of the prevailing global and regional competitions especially with the implementation of the African continental free trade agreement (AfCFTA) which Nigeria is a principal player."