
31/07/2025
National Blood Agency Announces Waiver Period for Blood Service Registration Amidst Nationwide Standardisation Drive
In a significant development aimed at tightening regulatory oversight and ensuring the safety of blood transfusion services across Nigeria, the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has declared a two-month waiver on registration fees for all health facilities operating blood services.
The decision, taken at the eighth meeting of the NBSA Taskforce Committee at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, underscores the federal government’s renewed commitment to enforcing standards in blood safety, as stipulated under the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) Act of 2021 and the National Health Act of 2014.
Effective immediately, hospitals, clinics and blood establishments are encouraged to take advantage of the temporary amnesty and register their operations with the Agency. At the expiration of the waiver period, registration fees will be reinstated, and the Taskforce will commence a comprehensive verification of registered facilities. Defaulters will face sanctions in line with the relevant legal provisions.
The NBSA Taskforce, inaugurated on 8 December 2022 during the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) held in Abuja, was constituted by the Honourable Minister of Health as part of broader efforts to implement the Agency’s mandate — to regulate, coordinate and guarantee the provision of safe, quality blood and blood products throughout the Nigerian healthcare system.
The multi-agency committee comprises representatives from the Department of Hospital Services, National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Pharmacy Council, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the FCT Hospital Management Board, and the Forum of State Health Commissioners, as well as the media.
The committee’s remit includes public enlightenment, stakeholder sensitisation, and the enforcement of regulatory compliance. The waiver, it is believed, is a strategic measure designed to boost formalisation within the sector, encourage transparency, and strengthen national capacity for safe blood delivery.
Health facilities seeking to register may do so via the Agency’s official portal — www.nbsc.gov.ng — or contact the NBSA directly at nbschq@gmail.com or nbschq@nbsc.gov.ng.