The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan chapter of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), has commenced an indefinite strike over the hospital management’s alleged refusal to implement a recommendation by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare concerning the disciplinary case involving the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Adeyinka Ishola.
The union announced the industrial action in a notice to its members, stating that the strike began on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue 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.
NUAHP represents 13 of the 15 categories of allied health professionals at UCH.
The union’s chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, said its principal demand was the implementation of the ministry’s recommendation that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
Olabampe said an initial investigation by the hospital had recommended Ishola’s suspension, with the matter subsequently referred to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for ratification.
He said the ministry later constituted an independent investigative panel, which reached a different conclusion.
“The ministry, in its wisdom, sent a team of investigators to UCH to conduct an independent investigation. The panel found Dr Ishola not guilty of any fraudulent act but only guilty of not carrying the management along in the sale of the tricycle,” Olabampe said.
He added that the ministry, rather than approving the hospital’s recommended punishment, directed that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
According to the union chairman, UCH management had declined to implement the ministry’s recommendation, despite the ministry’s supervisory role.
“We are, however, surprised that the UCH management is not pleased with this outcome and has, for months, refused to implement the verdict of its supervisory ministry,” he said.
Olabampe said the union disagreed with the hospital management’s reported position that the ministry’s decision was not final.
He also defended Ishola against allegations of fraud, saying the union regarded the matter as an administrative error rather than theft.
“We hereby declare that Dr Adeyinka Ishola is not a thief, though he might have committed an administrative error by not carrying the management along. Since the ministry has decided that he be reprimanded, we stand by this decision,” he said.
Dispute over tricycle sale
Ishola was removed from office more than a year ago following an allegation that he sold the tricycle without the knowledge or approval of UCH management.
The tricycle was reportedly donated to the Pharmacy Department by a pharmaceutical company.
During the hospital’s investigation, Ishola was said to have explained that the company had initially presented the tricycle to him as a personal gift, which he subsequently handed over to the department.
He reportedly asked the panel to seek clarification from the donor regarding the circumstances surrounding the donation.
Ishola also reportedly told the panel that he sold the tricycle after determining that maintaining it could prove difficult because spare parts might not be readily available. According to his account, the vehicle was a fabricated model rather than the conventional type commonly used for commercial purposes.
He said the N1.3m realised from the sale was spent on various departmental needs, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries and purchasing office chairs.
Ishola reportedly maintained that the proceeds were fully accounted for and that supporting documents had been submitted to the investigative panel.
The ownership and disposal of the tricycle remain central to the dispute, with UCH management reportedly maintaining that the item became hospital property after Ishola transferred it to the Pharmacy Department.
Union says dialogue exhausted
Olabampe said the union had exhausted its attempts to settle the matter through negotiations with management.
“Having dialogued with the management on several occasions to no avail, we have hereby resolved to declare a trade dispute over this matter,” he said.
He added that, following two ultimatums issued to management, the union had mobilised its members for an indefinite strike.
“After two series of ultimatums, we have decided to mobilise our members for an indefinite strike with effect from Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The strike shall continue until our demands are met,” Olabampe said.
The industrial action comes against the backdrop of previous labour disputes at the tertiary health institution.
In March 2026, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders embarked on a five-day warning strike over alleged electricity rationing at the hospital. The unions said the situation was affecting surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical operations.
