RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
Health workers under the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, University College Hospital, Ibadan chapter, have commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the hospital management to implement a recommendation by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare concerning the disciplinary case against the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The union announced the industrial action in a notice to its members, stating that the strike began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue reportedly failed.
At the centre of the disagreement is the sale of a tricycle donated to the hospital’s Pharmacy Department and the disciplinary measures subsequently taken against Ishola.
The NUAHP chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, said the union was demanding compliance with the ministry’s recommendation that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
According to Olabampe, an earlier investigation by the hospital had recommended disciplinary action against the director, after which the matter was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for consideration.
He said the ministry later constituted an independent investigative panel to examine the matter.
Olabampe said the panel cleared Ishola of any fraudulent conduct but found that he failed to properly involve the hospital management in the decision to dispose of the tricycle.
He explained that the ministry subsequently recommended that Ishola be reprimanded rather than dismissed and returned to his position.
The union chairman alleged that UCH management had refused to implement the ministry’s recommendation, arguing that the ministry’s decision was not final.
Olabampe said the union disagreed with that position, maintaining that the ministry, as the hospital’s supervisory authority, had the responsibility to determine the appropriate administrative action.
He also defended Ishola against allegations of fraud, arguing that the sale of the tricycle constituted an administrative lapse rather than a criminal act.
The union chairman said the proceeds from the transaction were reportedly used for the benefit of the Pharmacy Department.
According to accounts attributed to Ishola, the tricycle was donated by a pharmaceutical company. He reportedly told the hospital’s investigative panel that the item was initially given to him personally before he transferred it to the Pharmacy Department.
Ishola was also reported to have explained that he sold the tricycle after concerns arose over the availability of spare parts and the cost of maintaining the customised vehicle.
He reportedly stated that the N1.3 million realised from the sale was spent on departmental needs, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries, as well as providing office chairs.
He further maintained that the proceeds were properly accounted for and that supporting documents were presented to the investigative panel.
However, the dispute over the ownership of the tricycle and the authority to dispose of it remains unresolved. The hospital management reportedly maintains that the vehicle became the property of UCH after it was transferred to the Pharmacy Department.
Olabampe said the union had previously engaged the hospital management several times in an effort to settle the matter but had made no progress.
He said the union had issued two ultimatums before deciding to commence the indefinite industrial action.
The strike will continue until the union’s demands are addressed, he said.
The development adds to a history of labour disputes at UCH. In March 2026, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders reportedly embarked on a five-day warning strike over alleged electricity rationing at the hospital.
The unions had at the time raised concerns about the impact of the power situation on surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical operations.
However , the latest strike could affect healthcare delivery at UCH, one of the major tertiary healthcare, referral and medical training institutions serving Ibadan and surrounding communities.
