- Oyo Government appealed to teachers to return to classrooms
- The NUT insists schools need better security before reopening
- Police denied inviting a traditional ruler over the abduction case
The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing withdrawal of teachers from public schools and allow pupils to return to the classroom, warning that the prolonged closure is disrupting learning and affecting the academic calendar.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the appeal followed the Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday and was conveyed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.
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The NUT had directed its members to stay away from classrooms after the abduction of teachers and pupils from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
A total of 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in the area, were kidnapped during the attack. One teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed during the incident, while another victim, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later murdered by his captors.
The union has maintained that teachers will only return to work after the government strengthens security measures around schools to guarantee the safety of staff and students.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Oyelade acknowledged the union’s concerns but urged it to consider the wider consequences of keeping schools shut.
He said the continued closure of schools was creating social and economic challenges and assured residents that the government was taking decisive steps to secure the release of those still in captivity and improve security across affected communities.
The commissioner also announced the release of N8.77 billion as the first phase of a N23.01 billion education project aimed at providing teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
According to him, the textbooks will cover subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Literacy and Numeracy under a programme supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission in partnership with the World Bank.
He explained that successful implementation of the project would qualify Oyo State for performance-based funding under the initiative.
The Executive Council also approved a supplementary budget for 2026, increasing the state’s budget from N892.09 billion to N1.102 trillion to enable the completion of ongoing projects before the end of the current administration.
In addition, the council approved a $250,000 contribution to support programmes under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying the initiative would help attract more trade and investment opportunities to the state.
The government further approved N5.91 billion for the 2026 implementation of its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, which provides support through health insurance, food security and economic relief initiatives introduced to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports claiming that the Elesinele of Esiele, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, had been invited for questioning over the school abductions.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the traditional ruler had not been questioned in connection with the investigation.
The command urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, stressing that security agencies remained committed to rescuing the abducted victims and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.
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