The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, University College Hospital, Ibadan chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged refusal of the hospital management to implement the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation concerning the disciplinary case involving the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The union said the industrial action 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 Pharmacy Department and the disciplinary action subsequently taken against Ishola.
The NUAHP Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, said the union was demanding the implementation of the ministry’s recommendation that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
According to Olabampe, an initial investigation by the hospital had recommended disciplinary action against Ishola, with the matter forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for consideration.
He said the ministry subsequently sent an independent investigative team to UCH, which reached a different conclusion.
Olabampe said the panel found Ishola not guilty of fraud but held that he failed to carry the hospital management along before the tricycle was sold.
He added that instead of approving the hospital’s recommendation for dismissal, the ministry recommended that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
The union chairman accused UCH management of refusing to implement the recommendation, despite the ministry being the hospital’s supervisory authority.
He said the union also disagreed with the management’s position that the ministry’s decision was not final.
Union defends Ishola
Olabampe maintained that the union did not consider the sale of the tricycle to be fraudulent.
He said Ishola might have committed an administrative error by failing to inform management before the sale, but insisted that the union supported the ministry’s recommendation for his reinstatement.
According to him, the union had held several discussions with hospital management and issued two ultimatums before deciding to embark on the indefinite strike.
He said the industrial action would continue until the union’s demands were met.
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 by a pharmaceutical company. Ishola was said to have told investigators that the company initially gave it to him as a personal gift, which he later transferred to the Pharmacy Department.
He reportedly asked the investigative panel to seek clarification from the donor regarding the circumstances surrounding the donation.
Ishola also explained that he sold the tricycle after concerns about maintaining it, particularly because spare parts might be difficult to obtain. He said the vehicle was a specially fabricated model rather than the conventional type commonly used for commercial purposes.
He reportedly stated that the N1.3 million proceeds from the sale were used for various needs in the department, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries and providing office chairs.
According to his account, the proceeds were fully accounted for and supporting documents were presented to the investigative panel.
The ownership and disposal of the tricycle have remained at the centre of the dispute, with hospital management reportedly maintaining that the item became UCH property after Ishola transferred it to the Pharmacy Department.
Strike adds to previous UCH labour disputes
The latest industrial action follows other labour disputes at the hospital.
In March 2026, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders embarked on a five-day warning strike over alleged electricity rationing at the institution.
The unions said the power situation was affecting surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical operations.
The new strike could further disrupt activities at UCH, a major referral and training centre serving patients and health professionals in the region.
Source: PUNCH
