Health workers under the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, have commenced an indefinite strike over the non-reinstatement of the hospital’s Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The industrial action began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, following what the union described as the failure of several attempts to resolve the dispute with the hospital management.
The union is demanding the implementation of a recommendation by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare concerning the disciplinary case involving Ishola.
According to NUAHP Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, the ministry’s independent investigation found Ishola not guilty of any fraudulent act in connection with the sale of a tricycle donated to the hospital’s Pharmacy Department.
Olabampe said the ministry instead found that Ishola failed to properly carry the hospital management along before the tricycle was sold.
He said the ministry consequently recommended that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated, rather than being dismissed as had earlier been recommended by the hospital’s investigative process.
Dispute Over Tricycle Sale
The dispute dates back to the sale of a tricycle that had been donated to the Pharmacy Department.
Ishola was removed from office more than a year ago after he was accused of selling the tricycle without the knowledge of the hospital management.
According to an account attributed to Ishola, the tricycle had initially been presented as a personal gift by a pharmaceutical company before he handed it over to the Pharmacy Department.
He reportedly told the hospital’s investigative panel that the vehicle was later sold because of concerns about its maintenance and the availability of spare parts.
Ishola said the N1.3 million generated from the sale was used to meet various needs within the department, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries and providing office chairs.
He also reportedly told the panel that the proceeds had been accounted for and that supporting documents were presented during the investigation.
Ministry’s Investigation
Following the hospital’s initial investigation, which reportedly recommended disciplinary action against Ishola, the matter was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The ministry subsequently constituted an independent investigative team to examine the case.
According to the NUAHP chairman, the ministry’s panel reached a different conclusion from the earlier hospital investigation.
Olabampe said the ministry’s panel did not find Ishola guilty of fraud but found that he failed to properly inform hospital management before disposing of the tricycle.
The union is therefore asking the hospital to implement the ministry’s recommendation for Ishola’s reprimand and reinstatement.
However, the union said UCH management has maintained that the ministry’s decision is not final, a position NUAHP said it disagrees with.
Union Issues Ultimatums
The union said it had given the hospital management two ultimatums before proceeding with the strike.
According to reports, NUAHP issued a 15-day ultimatum in August demanding Ishola’s reinstatement and the payment of financial benefits it said had been withheld from him.
The union later granted another 15-day extension in September.
Following the expiration of the ultimatums without an agreement, the union announced that its members would begin an indefinite strike on September 16.
Olabampe said the action would continue until the union’s demands are addressed.
Possible Impact on Hospital Services
The strike could affect healthcare services at UCH, one of Nigeria’s major tertiary healthcare and medical training institutions.
The latest dispute comes months after another labour dispute at the hospital.
In March 2026, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders embarked on a five-day warning strike over concerns about electricity rationing at the hospital. The unions said the situation was affecting surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical operations.
The current industrial action is, however, centred on the disciplinary case involving the Director of Pharmaceutical Services and the implementation of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation.
As of Wednesday, September 16, the union and hospital management had yet to reach an agreement that would end the strike.
The dispute is expected to remain under scrutiny as both sides consider their positions on Ishola’s reinstatement and the interpretation of the ministry’s recommendation.
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