From March 4 – 8, 2025, Nigeria achieved a significant milestone in laboratory systems strengthening through the successful completion of Phase 5 of the LabNet Lead course in Abuja. Organized by the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), the workshop marked the culmination of a five-phase leadership development programme under the Laboratory Systems Strengthening Community of Practice (LabCoP) initiative.

The LabNet Lead program equips national laboratory leaders with the tools and strategies to build smarter, more connected diagnostic networks.

For Nigeria, Phase 5 was more than just a training, it was an opportunity to put leadership into action. The country’s chosen capstone, “Integrated Diagnostic Network Optimization (DNO),” aligned directly with major national priorities like the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan and the ₦10.3 billion National Medical Relief Programme.

Throughout the five-day workshop, 20 participants, drawn from the national laboratory technical working group and partner institutions—collaborated to advance the DNO initiative. Key objectives included securing stakeholder support, defining the scope and architecture of DNO, evaluating relevant software and data sources, and mapping out an implementation timeline.

The team developed a SMART operational plan, reviewed data systems across seven key domains, and proposed a shortlist of tests for optimization-ranging from viral load and Early Infant Diagnosis to Human Papilloma Virus and insulin assays, and developed draft Terms of Reference for consultants to support DNO execution.

The workshop emphasized the value of data-driven leadership and peer learning, as envisioned by the LabCoP model. By blending global best practices with contextual solutions, Nigeria’s LabNet Lead Phase 5 team demonstrated how empowered local leadership can drive systemic diagnostic transformation.

Next steps include the presentation of workshop outcomes to the national DNO Steering Committee, finalization of the consultancy roadmap, and preparatory actions toward a national Diagnostic Network Assessment (DNA).

As the country advances on its diagnostic optimization journey, this leadership initiative not only strengthens Nigeria’s laboratory network but also contributes to regional learning across Africa’s diagnostic community.