UCH Crisis Deepens as Allied Health Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Director’s Reinstatement
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan I’m chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation concerning the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The industrial action, which began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, followed what the Union described as the failure of several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Global Mirror News reports that the dispute centres on the disciplinary action taken against Ishola following the sale of a tricycle that had been donated to the Pharmacy Department of the hospital.
The NUAHP, which represents 13 of the 15 categories of allied health professionals at UCH, is demanding that the hospital management implement the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.
According to the Union’s chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, the hospital had earlier conducted its own investigation into the matter and recommended disciplinary action against Ishola before the case was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health for consideration.
Olabampe said the ministry subsequently constituted an independent investigative team to review the matter and arrived at a different conclusion from the initial hospital investigation.
He said the Ministry’s panel did not find Ishola guilty of fraud but found him culpable of failing to properly carry the hospital management along in the decision to dispose of the tricycle.
The Union Chairman said the Ministry consequently recommended that Ishola should be reprimanded and reinstated rather than dismissed.
However, the Union alleged that UCH management had refused to implement the recommendation, despite the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare being the supervisory authority over the hospital.
Olabampe said the Union disagreed with the position reportedly held by the hospital management that the ministry’s recommendation was not final.
He maintained that the Union was not defending fraudulent conduct but believed that the punishment recommended by the Ministry should be implemented.
According to him, the Union considers Ishola’s action an administrative error rather than fraud, particularly because the proceeds from the sale were reportedly used for the benefit of the Pharmacy Department.
How the Tricycle Dispute Started
Ishola was removed from office more than a year ago after he was accused of selling the tricycle without the knowledge or approval of UCH management.
The tricycle was reportedly donated by a pharmaceutical company. Ishola was said to have explained during the hospital’s investigation that the item was initially presented to him as a personal gift, which he subsequently handed over to the Pharmacy Department.
He reportedly told investigators that he later decided to sell the tricycle after discovering that maintaining it could be difficult because spare parts were not readily available, as it was a specially fabricated model rather than the conventional type.
The proceeds from the sale were reportedly put at about N1.3 million.
Ishola reportedly explained that the money was used to meet various needs within the department, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries as well as providing office chairs.
He was also reported to have presented documents to the investigative panel to support his claim that the money had been fully accounted for.
The disagreement, however, has persisted over the ownership of the tricycle and whether Ishola had the authority to dispose of it.
According to reports, UCH management maintains that the tricycle became hospital property after it was handed over to the Pharmacy Department.
Union Says Strike Will Continue Until Demands Are Met
Global Mirror News gathered that the allied health workers had issued ultimatums to the relevant authorities before declaring the latest industrial action.
Olabampe said the Union had engaged the hospital management several times without reaching a resolution.
He explained that after two ultimatums failed to produce the desired outcome, the union decided to commence an indefinite strike.
The Union has consequently directed its members to withdraw their services until its demand for the implementation of the ministry’s recommendation is addressed.
The development is expected to put additional pressure on healthcare delivery at UCH, one of Nigeria’s major tertiary health institutions and an important referral and training centre.
Strike Comes Amid Previous Labour Disputes
The latest industrial action is not the first labour-related disruption to hit UCH in 2026.
In March, workers under the Council of UCH Union Leaders embarked on a five-day warning strike over alleged electricity rationing at the hospital.
The Union had raised concerns about the impact of inadequate power supply on critical hospital operations, including surgeries, laboratory services and other clinical activities.
With the allied health professionals now embarking on an indefinite strike, patients and healthcare users may face further disruptions depending on the duration and scope of the industrial action.
As of the latest reports, the NUAHP maintains that the strike will continue until its demands concerning Dr Ishola’s reinstatement and the implementation of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation are addressed.
Global Mirror News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the dispute unfolds.
