Health workers at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, have started an indefinite strike over the reinstatement of a hospital director.
The action began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), UCH chapter, said the strike followed several failed attempts to resolve the dispute.
The union wants the hospital to implement a recommendation from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Why Are the Health Workers on Strike?
The dispute involves Dr Adeyinka Ishola, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at UCH.
The case centres on the sale of a tricycle that was donated to the hospital’s Pharmacy Department.
Hospital management took disciplinary action against Ishola after the tricycle was sold without its approval, according to reports.
Ishola was removed from his position more than a year ago.
The union, however, says the matter was later reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
What Did the Ministry Recommend?
NUAHP Chairman Oladayo Olabampe said the ministry carried out an independent investigation into the case.
According to him, the investigation did not find Ishola guilty of fraud.
The union said the investigation instead found that he failed to properly involve hospital management before the tricycle was sold.
The ministry therefore recommended that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated, according to the union’s account.
The union is now asking UCH management to follow that recommendation.
UCH Management and the Union Disagree
The union says UCH management has refused to implement the ministry’s recommendation.
Olabampe said the union disagrees with the hospital’s position that the ministry’s decision is not final.
He said the workers had held several discussions with management before deciding to begin the strike.
The union also says it issued two ultimatums before taking industrial action.
It has now declared that the strike will continue until its demands are addressed.
What Happened to the Tricycle?
The tricycle was reportedly donated by a pharmaceutical company to the Pharmacy Department.
Ishola reportedly told investigators that the vehicle was initially given to him as a personal gift.
He said he later handed it over to the Pharmacy Department.
According to his account, he decided to sell it after concerns about maintenance and the availability of spare parts.
He also said the money from the sale was used for needs within the department.
Those needs reportedly included trolley tyres, laptop batteries and office chairs.
Ishola said the money was fully accounted for and that supporting documents were presented during the investigation.
Union Defends the Director
NUAHP says the sale should not be treated as fraud.
The union maintains that Ishola may have made an administrative error by failing to inform hospital management before selling the tricycle.
It therefore wants the disciplinary matter handled in line with the ministry’s recommendation.
The union says its members will remain on strike until the issue is resolved.
Strike Could Affect Hospital Services
The industrial action could affect services at UCH.
The hospital is one of Nigeria’s major teaching hospitals and serves patients from Ibadan and other parts of the country.
Previous labour disputes at the hospital have also affected services.
In March 2026, workers carried out a five-day warning strike over issues linked to electricity supply at the hospital.
An indefinite strike could therefore create further pressure on patients and hospital staff if the dispute continues.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on finding a solution between UCH management and the health workers.
The union wants Dr Ishola reinstated.
It is also asking management to implement the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation.
For now, the strike remains indefinite.
Further discussions between the union and hospital management could determine when the workers return to their duties.