The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has commenced an indefinite strike over the refusal of the hospital management to reinstate its Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.
The industrial action began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, following a prolonged dispute over Ishola’s removal from office.
The union is demanding that UCH management implement the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which called for Ishola to be reprimanded and reinstated after an independent investigation into the sale of a tricycle linked to the Pharmacy Department.
According to NUAHP, the ministry’s investigation cleared Ishola of any fraudulent conduct in connection with the sale but found that he erred by failing to properly inform UCH management before disposing of the vehicle.
Speaking at a briefing, NUAHP Chairman, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe, said the union resorted to industrial action after several attempts to settle the dispute through dialogue failed.
Olabampe also raised concerns about the hospital’s initial investigation into the matter. He said the union’s representative, who participated as an observer, reported that the panel appeared to have formed a position on Ishola’s case before allowing him to fully present his defence.
He explained that the hospital’s panel subsequently recommended Ishola’s suspension and forwarded its position to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for consideration.
The ministry, however, conducted its own independent investigation and reached a different conclusion.
Olabampe said the federal ministry found no evidence that Ishola committed fraud in relation to the tricycle. The ministry instead determined that his failure to carry UCH management along before the sale amounted to an administrative lapse and recommended that he be reprimanded before being reinstated.
The union chairman said NUAHP was dissatisfied with UCH management’s refusal to implement the ministry’s recommendation.
According to him, the union believes the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as the supervisory authority, has the power to determine the appropriate administrative action in the matter.
Olabampe said the union had issued two ultimatums and held several discussions with hospital management before deciding to declare a trade dispute.
He said the strike would remain in place until the union’s demands were addressed.
Ishola was removed from his position more than a year ago following allegations that he sold a tricycle without the knowledge or approval of UCH management.
During the hospital’s investigation, Ishola reportedly maintained that the tricycle had initially been given to him personally by a pharmaceutical company that was interested in securing favourable patronage.
He reportedly asked the investigative panel to contact the pharmaceutical company to establish the circumstances surrounding the donation.
Ishola also explained that he later voluntarily transferred the tricycle to the Pharmacy Department but eventually authorised its sale after concerns arose over the availability and cost of spare parts.
According to his account, the vehicle was a specially fabricated model rather than the conventional tricycles commonly used for commercial transportation, making its maintenance potentially difficult.
He reportedly said the sale generated N1.3 million, which was subsequently used to meet various needs within the department.
The expenditure allegedly included the replacement of trolley tyres and laptop batteries, as well as the purchase of office chairs.
Ishola maintained that the proceeds from the sale were properly accounted for and that supporting documents were submitted to the investigative panel.
The latest development has now resulted in an indefinite strike by NUAHP members at UCH Ibadan, with the union insisting that the ministry’s recommendation on Ishola’s reinstatement should be implemented.
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