Dr Anyanwu C. Okechukwu is the founder and chief executive officer of DCL Laboratory Products. From pioneering Nigeria’s first Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) system to spearheading the establishment of an indigenous in‑vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturing facility, Anyanwu has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing diagnostic standards across the subregion. In this exclusive interview with Samuel Dike, he discusses DCL’s evolution, the obstacles hindering diagnostic excellence in Nigeria, and the company’s strategic initiatives towards building a safer, more dependable healthcare ecosystem. Excerpts:
Can you give us a brief history of DCL Laboratory Products and how the company has evolved under your leadership?
DCL Laboratory Products was founded in 2005 and commenced full operations in 2006 from a small office in Port Harcourt with just five staff members. At the time, Nigeria’s laboratory ecosystem was flooded with low-grade equipment imported through informal channels and often operated by untrained personnel. This situation compromised diagnostic accuracy and posed serious risks to patient care.
DCL was established to address these gaps by introducing professionalism, quality assurance and sustainable diagnostic solutions into the healthcare system. Over the past two decades, we have grown into a major indigenous player in the in-vitro diagnostics market, employing over 248 professionals across Nigeria and the West African subregion, while serving a broad network of public and private healthcare institutions.
What inspired the founding principles of DCL Laboratory Products, and how have these principles shaped the company’s vision and operations over the years?
My exposure to laboratory practice in Germany, where advanced automation, precision diagnostics and strict quality control are standard, inspired the founding principles of DCL. Upon returning to Nigeria, I observed a significant gap between global best practices and local laboratory operations.
These observations informed the establishment of DCL on core principles centred on patient safety, professional excellence and innovation. Over the years, these principles have shaped our vision and daily operations, guiding our investments in quality management systems, staff training, after-sales support and long-term partnerships with globally recognised manufacturers.
What are some of the key challenges you’ve faced in Nigeria’s diagnostics and laboratory technology sector, and how has the company navigated them?
Nigeria’s diagnostics and laboratory technology sector continues to face several structural challenges, including weak regulatory enforcement, heavy reliance on imported diagnostic equipment, supply-chain disruptions, limited laboratory automation and skills gaps among professionals.
We have responded by strengthening our supply chain, building strategic partnerships with reputable international manufacturers and implementing an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. DCL Laboratory Products has also invested heavily in capacity building through training programmes, workshops and technical support initiatives aimed at improving laboratory practices and ensuring consistent service delivery.
How does DCL Laboratory Products differentiate itself in the highly competitive diagnostics and laboratory solutions market in Nigeria and West Africa?
We differentiate ourselves by placing uncompromised quality, reliability and long-term value at the centre of everything we do. Our focus goes beyond supplying laboratory equipment to providing end-to-end diagnostic solutions, including proper installation, preventive and corrective maintenance, extended warranty support and a responsive technical service network that ensures consistent laboratory performance.
In addition, we maintain strong partnerships with world-class manufacturers, enabling us to deploy globally accepted diagnostic technologies adapted to the realities of the African healthcare environment. By combining international quality standards, robust after-sales support, innovation and a customer-centric approach, we have earned the trust of healthcare institutions across Nigeria and West Africa.
What role does innovation play in DCL’s strategy, and how do you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving diagnostic technology landscape?
Innovation is central to DCL’s growth strategy and market leadership. Over the years, we have introduced advanced diagnostic technologies previously unavailable in Nigeria and West Africa. These include functional apheresis systems, equipment that supported Nigeria’s first successful bone marrow transplant, and immunohistochemistry automation with FISH and ISH capabilities.
More recently, we have led the market with AI-enabled malaria diagnostic systems, AI-based stool microscopy and colon cancer screening technologies, as well as the deployment of West Africa’s first Total Laboratory Automation system. To stay ahead, we invest continuously in research partnerships, staff training and close collaboration with clinicians and laboratory professionals.
Can you discuss any recent strategic initiatives or partnerships that have strengthened DCL’s presence and impact in the healthcare ecosystem?
One of our most significant recent initiatives is the collaboration with strategic partners to establish an indigenous IVD manufacturing facility in Nigeria. This represents a major step towards reducing import dependency, improving affordability and strengthening diagnostic self-sufficiency.
We have also expanded our regional footprint with operational entities in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, enhancing our capacity to support healthcare institutions across West Africa with advanced diagnostic solutions, training and technical support.
DCL has received multiple industry awards. How significant are these recognitions for the company and for you as a leader?
DCL Laboratory Products has been recognised multiple times as the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award Laboratory Equipment Marketing Company of the Year, with recent honours extending to the West African level. These awards underscore our consistency in quality, innovation and service delivery.
My receipt of the AMLSN Diamond Award for Public Health Innovative Technologies further highlights the impact of our leadership in advancing laboratory medicine. We see these recognitions as validation of our long-term commitment rather than endpoints.
How do these awards reflect your company’s values and influence your future strategy?
The awards reflect our dedication to quality assurance, ethical business practices, patient safety and continuous innovation. They also reinforce our resolve to maintain high standards across all operations.
Looking ahead, these recognitions will influence our strategic focus on automation, local manufacturing, professional capacity building and regional integration, while strengthening stakeholder confidence in our brand.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the diagnostics and laboratory services industry in Nigeria, and what opportunities exist for growth?
The diagnostics and laboratory services industry in Nigeria is gradually evolving, with growing awareness of the importance of accurate diagnostics in clinical decision-making and disease management. However, gaps remain in infrastructure, automation, workforce training and local manufacturing capacity.
There are strong growth opportunities in AI-driven diagnostics, wider adoption of laboratory automation, structured professional capacity building and public–private partnerships that can strengthen healthcare delivery and disease surveillance.
What are your future plans for DCL Laboratory Products, and where do you see the company in the next five to ten years?
Over the next five to ten years, we plan to scale up indigenous IVD manufacturing, deepen the deployment of automation and artificial intelligence across laboratories, and further expand our footprint across Africa. These efforts aim to strengthen diagnostic self-sufficiency, improve access to quality testing and enhance healthcare outcomes.
We also intend to play a more prominent role in training and mentoring laboratory professionals, recognising that sustainable healthcare systems are built on both advanced technology and skilled human capacity. Guided by organic growth and long-term partnerships, we are positioning DCL as a trusted partner in building Africa’s diagnostic future.
