The strike action by the NUT was prompted by the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A Primary School in Esiele
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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to call off its ongoing strike and reopen public schools across the state, assuring residents that intensified efforts are underway to secure the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of heightened insecurity following the abduction of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers on May 15, an incident that triggered widespread fear and led to the shutdown of public schools across the state.
The governor’s position was conveyed after a State Executive Council meeting, where key decisions were taken to address both the security crisis and broader challenges facing the education sector.
The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed details of the meeting in an official statement, highlighting the government’s dual strategy of improving safety and investing in education infrastructure.
“While the reasons for the withdrawal of students from school by the NUT are understandable, the collateral implications, both social and economic, are raising unintended concerns and should equally be considered,” he said.
He emphasised that the state government is taking strategic steps to improve security across affected communities and to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims, whose continued captivity has generated anxiety among parents and education stakeholders.
The strike action by the NUT was prompted by the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A Primary School in Esiele.
The attack, which occurred more than 40 days ago, remains one of the most disturbing incidents affecting the state’s education sector in recent times.
In response to the incident, the teachers’ union directed its members to stay away from classrooms, insisting that teaching and learning could not continue under unsafe conditions.
The action has effectively paralysed public primary and secondary education across Oyo State, affecting thousands of pupils, particularly as the academic term approaches its conclusion.
Speaking on the union’s position, the NUT Secretary, Olukayode Salam, maintained that the strike would continue until concrete measures are put in place to guarantee the safety of both teachers and students.
“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed,” Salam said
The investment is part of a broader N23 billion education intervention programme aimed at strengthening foundational learning across the state.
Oyelade explained that the materials to be procured would include textbooks covering core subjects such as literacy, numeracy, mathematics, English language, and basic science.
The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in public schools once academic activities resume.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank under a results-based financing arrangement designed to incentivise performance and accountability.
According to the commissioner, successful execution of the project could attract additional financial benefits for the state.
“Upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State becomes eligible for a reward-based disbursement of two United States dollars per student per subject,” he said.
The upward revision reflects growing financial demands from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) seeking additional resources to complete ongoing projects before the end of the current administration.
The council noted that the budget adjustment would enable the government to sustain infrastructure development, social programmes, and economic interventions aimed at improving living standards across the state.
Among the additional approvals was N5.9 billion for the continuation of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative.
Introduced in 2023, the programme was designed to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal on residents by providing transportation support, food assistance, healthcare services, and grants for small businesses.
In a move to strengthen the state’s participation in regional trade, the council also approved the payment of $250,000 to support programmes under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Oyelade said the initiative would help attract investment and expand trade opportunities for businesses operating within the state.
Meanwhile, at the national level, efforts are intensifying to address broader issues affecting the safety and wellbeing of students in schools.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, has stepped up initiatives to tackle the rising incidence of school-related gender-based violence.
Stakeholders from across the justice, education, security, and child protection sectors have pledged to strengthen the prosecution of perpetrators and improve institutional responses to cases involving children, particularly within school environments.
This commitment was reinforced during the First Training of Trainers Workshop on the Standard Operating Procedure for the Legal Pathway for the Prosecution of perpetrators of school-related gender-based violence, held in Abuja.
It brought together representatives from key government agencies, including the ministries of justice, education, and women affairs, as well as security agencies and civil society organisations.
Participants emphasised the urgent need to restore schools as safe spaces for learning, noting that increasing cases of violence, abuse, and exploitation threaten the educational and psychological development of children.
The developments in Oyo State and at the national level highlight the complex challenges confronting Nigeria’s education system, where issues of insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and social protection intersect.
As negotiations between the Oyo State Government and the NUT continue, stakeholders remain hopeful that a resolution will be reached soon to allow students to return to classrooms.
However, many insist that any reopening must be accompanied by credible security guarantees to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
