In a major step toward enhancing healthcare standards and public safety, the Senate has adopted the “Medical X-Ray and Imaging Practitioners Council (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB 1070).” Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), the bill establishes a comprehensive statutory framework to regulate medical imaging practitioners, elevate professional standards, and mitigate the health risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure.
The bill was formally adopted during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following its first reading introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Once enacted, the legislation will establish the Medical X-Ray and Imaging Practitioners Council of Nigeria as the official governing body responsible for supervising training, enforcing professional ethics, and regulating clinical practice across the country. The council’s oversight will encompass a wide range of medical imaging and diagnostic specialists, including X-ray technologists, sonographers (ultrasound technologists), radiotherapy technologists, MRI and CT technologists, cardiovascular technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, renal and neuro-electrophysiology technicians, and other related professionals.
Key Public Health and Regulatory Objectives:
Patient Safety & Protection: Mitigating health risks linked to inappropriate exposure to ionizing radiation (such as X-rays and CT scans) by ensuring procedures are conducted exclusively by qualified and registered personnel.
Standardized Training & Accreditation: Defining required academic and practical benchmarks, administering professional licensure exams, accrediting training institutions, and regulating diagnostic centers and laboratories nationwide.
Continuing Education & Foreign Qualifications: Establishing mechanisms for mandatory continuing professional development and evaluating foreign-trained graduates to align with global best practices.
Professional Registry: Maintaining and regularly publishing an up-to-date national registry of licensed imaging practitioners to prevent quackery and improve public trust in healthcare services.
This legislative milestone aligns with long-standing calls from professional bodies, including the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, seeking clear regulatory autonomy and protected standards of practice within diagnostic healthcare.
The bill adds to Senator Kalu’s expansive legislative record focused on structural and institutional reform across key sectors, including health, economic development, and green technology.
