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Health workers under the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan chapter, have commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the hospital management to implement a recommendation
the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare concerning the disciplinary case involving the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The union announced the industrial action in a letter to its members, stating that the strike began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue reportedly failed.
The dispute centres on the sale of a tricycle donated to the hospital’s Pharmacy Department and the disciplinary action subsequently taken against Ishola.
According to NUAHP Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, the union is demanding the implementation of the Federal Ministry’s recommendation that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
Olabampe explained that an initial investigation
UCH had recommended disciplinary action against the director, with the matter subsequently forwarded to the Federal Ministry for consideration.
He said the ministry later constituted an independent investigative team, which reached a different conclusion.
According to him, the ministry’s panel found Ishola not guilty of fraudulent conduct but held that he erred administratively
failing to carry the hospital management along before disposing of the tricycle.
The union chairman said the ministry consequently recommended that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated rather than dismissed.
He alleged that UCH management had, for months, declined to implement the recommendation, arguing that the ministry’s decision was not final.
NUAHP, however, said it disagreed with that position and maintained that the recommendation of the supervisory ministry should be implemented.
Defending Ishola, Olabampe said the union did not consider the sale of the tricycle a fraudulent act, describing it instead as an administrative error.
He said the union had engaged the hospital management several times in an attempt to resolve the matter but had reached a deadlock.
Following what he described as two ultimatums issued to management, the union resolved to commence an indefinite strike until its demands are addressed.
Ishola was removed from office more than a year ago following allegations that he sold the tricycle without the knowledge of UCH management.
The tricycle was reportedly donated
a pharmaceutical company. Ishola was said to have told the hospital’s investigative panel that the item was initially presented to him as a personal gift before he handed it over to the Pharmacy Department.
He reportedly urged the panel to seek clarification from the donor company regarding the circumstances surrounding the donation.
Ishola also reportedly explained that he authorised the sale after determining that maintaining the tricycle could be difficult because spare parts might not be readily available, as it was a fabricated model rather than the conventional type commonly used for commercial purposes.
He said the N1.3 million realised from the sale was used to address various needs within the department, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries as well as providing office chairs.
According to his account, the proceeds were fully accounted for, with supporting documents presented to the investigative panel.
However, the ownership and disposal of the tricycle remain central to the dispute, with UCH management reportedly maintaining that the item became hospital property after it was handed over to the Pharmacy Department.
The latest industrial action comes months after another labour dispute at the tertiary institution. In March 2026, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders embarked on a five-day warning strike over alleged electricity rationing, which the unions said was affecting surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical operations.
The indefinite strike
NUAHP could further affect services at UCH, one of the major referral and training institutions serving patients and health professionals in the region.
