By Nworisa Michael
The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) has raised strong objections to a proposed legislation it says could undermine and potentially eliminate the radiography profession in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Kano, the National President of the association, Dr. Musa Yusuf Dembele, described the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (HB 2695) as a direct threat to the profession.
According to him, the bill is not a reform initiative but a deliberate attempt to transfer the responsibilities of radiographers to another regulatory body. He warned that the proposal introduces provisions that could effectively dismantle the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), which has overseen the profession for decades.
Dembele criticised a section of the bill that grants exclusive authority to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), arguing that it strips radiographers of their professional autonomy and places them under the control of a body lacking expertise in radiographic science.
The association further expressed concerns that the legislation redefines key concepts in a way that diminishes radiography as an independent discipline, warning that such changes could negatively impact patient care and professional standards.
ARN also faulted provisions empowering MDCN to regulate areas such as ultrasound and laser technologies, describing the move as an encroachment on the scope of radiography practice. It equally raised objections to proposed disciplinary structures, which it said exclude radiographers and could undermine fair hearing.
On financial implications, the group alleged that the bill introduces unfavourable revenue-sharing arrangements, which it described as exploitative and detrimental to practitioners.
In addition, the association voiced concerns over a separate amendment bill (HB 2699), warning that it could weaken the RRBN through external interference and excessive government control.
The ARN called on the National Assembly to reject the proposed legislation and preserve the independence of radiography as a profession. It also advocated for broader stakeholder engagement to develop a balanced regulatory framework for the health sector.
The association maintained that radiographers play a critical role in diagnostic and therapeutic services, stressing that any policy capable of undermining the profession could have far-reaching consequences for healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
