The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has suspended its ongoing strike at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for two weeks. This decision was announced by the union's chairman, Mr Oladayo Olabampe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday. The suspension takes effect from Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
According to Mr Olabampe, the union's decision to suspend the strike was in response to an appeal by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW). The intervention by the ministry led to the national secretariat of the union approving the suspension of the strike action. The union had embarked on the industrial action over its demand for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the decision of the FMOHSW concerning a dispute involving Dr Adeyinka Ishola, Director of Pharmaceutical Services.
The dispute involving Dr Ishola had led to the union's demand for his immediate and unconditional implementation of the FMOHSW's decision. The union's chairman stated that the suspension of the strike was for two weeks, indicating that the union expected further engagement on the matter during this period. The NUAHP has directed its members to resume their duties with effect from September 22, 2026.
The strike suspension comes as a relief to patients and staff at the UCH, Ibadan. The hospital is one of the largest healthcare institutions in Nigeria, and the strike had likely caused significant disruptions to medical services. The FMOHSW's intervention had helped to avert a prolonged shutdown of the hospital.
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) is a significant stakeholder in the country's healthcare sector. The union's members are critical to the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria's public hospitals, including the UCH, Ibadan. The suspension of the strike is expected to improve healthcare services at the hospital.
Further engagement between the union and the FMOHSW is expected during the two-week suspension period. The union's chairman, Mr Olabampe, stated that the union would use this period to negotiate a resolution to the dispute. A successful resolution would help prevent future industrial actions by the union.
The strike suspension demonstrates the importance of dialogue and negotiation in resolving disputes between healthcare workers and government agencies. The FMOHSW's intervention had helped to resolve the immediate crisis, and further engagement is expected to lead to a lasting resolution.
Key points
- The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals suspends its strike at University College Hospital, Ibadan, for two weeks.
- The suspension follows an intervention by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
- The union expects further engagement on the dispute during the two-week suspension period.
