UCH workers halt strike, set two-week deadline for FG over director’s reinstatement

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has suspended its ongoing strike at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, for two weeks.

The union said the suspension would give the Federal Government time to intervene and resolve the dispute between the workers and the hospital’s management.

The UCH chapter of NUAHP had commenced an indefinite strike last Wednesday over the failure of the hospital authorities to reinstate Adeyinka Ishola, the institution’s Director of Pharmaceutical Services.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, NUAHP General Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, said the strike was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Egbanubi said the two-week suspension was intended to allow the government to address the issues surrounding the dispute and work towards a resolution.

Egbanubi said the decision was reached at an emergency virtual meeting of the union’s national administrative council (NAC) and the UCH branch executive committee on September 20.

He said the two-week suspension was to allow the ministry to “resolve the matter in dispute decisively”.

The general secretary warned that if the dispute is not resolved before the expiration of the two-week period, the notice would serve as a strike ultimatum in accordance with section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act.

He said the union’s national leadership would take over the dispute and mobilise its branches in federal and state health institutions for a nationwide solidarity strike.

He said the union was demanding the unconditional reinstatement of Ishola as director and head of pharmaceutical services at UCH.

Egbanubi said that the redeployment of Ishola as head of a unit amounted to demotion and punitive action.

He said the redeployment was contrary to the report of a panel of inquiry, which, according to the union, recommended that Ishola be reprimanded.

In a separate letter to the chief medical director (CMD) of UCH signed by Oladayo Olabampe, chairman, and Onafowora Olumuyiwa, secretary of the UCH branch of NUAHP, the union said that the industrial strike has been suspended.

“Members shall therefore be directed to resume duties with effect from Tuesday, 22nd September 2026,” the statement reads.

Last year, Ishola was removed from office following an allegation that he sold a tricycle without the knowledge of the UCH management.

The director was subsequently investigated by a panel set up by the hospital management.

Ishola told the panel that the tricycle was a gift which he donated voluntarily to the department.

He said the tricycle was later sold and the proceeds of N1.3 million were spent on the department’s various needs, including replacing trolley tyres and laptop batteries and providing office chairs.

According to him, the funds were fully accounted for and all relevant documents presented to the investigative panel.

In August, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to UCH management to reinstate Ishola or face industrial action.

The union also demanded payment of all financial benefits allegedly withheld from Ishola since the ministry of health and social welfare reached a decision on his case.

Earlier in September, the union granted the UCH management another 15-day extension to meet its demands.

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