The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its classroom boycott and allow pupils to return to school, warning that the prolonged closure of public schools could have far-reaching consequences for education and the economy.
The appeal followed a meeting of the State Executive Council and was conveyed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.
Public school teachers across the state had withdrawn their services after the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The incident involved 46 victims, including 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
During the attack, a teacher identified as Joel Adesiyan was killed, while another victim, Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by his captors. A video showing the killing circulated widely on social media.
The NUT has insisted that schools will remain shut until the government provides adequate security measures to guarantee the safety of teachers, students and parents.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, the union’s secretary, Olukayode Salami, said the decision was prompted by worsening insecurity, the killing of teachers and the continued captivity of abducted victims.
Salami stated that schools could resume operations once sufficient security arrangements were put in place to restore confidence among stakeholders.
Responding to the union’s position, Oyelade said, “While the reasons for the withdrawal of the students from school by the NUT are understandable, the collateral implications, both social and economic, are raising unintended concerns and should equally be considered by the NUT.”
He said the government remained committed to resolving the Oriire kidnapping crisis and assured residents that efforts were underway to bring the situation to an end.
As part of decisions reached at the council meeting, the government approved the release of N8.77 billion for the procurement of instructional materials for primary and junior secondary schools. The amount represents the first tranche of a larger N23.01 billion education project.
According to Oyelade, the textbooks will cover subjects including literacy, numeracy, mathematics, English language and basic science under a programme supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank.
The commissioner explained that, “Upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State becomes eligible for a reward-based disbursement of two United States Dollars ($2) per student per subject, in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement.”
The council also approved adjustments to the state’s 2026 budget to accommodate additional funding requests from ministries, departments and agencies handling ongoing projects.
Oyelade said the administration was determined to complete all key projects before the end of Governor Seyi Makinde’s tenure in 2027.
Consequently, the state’s 2026 budget was increased from N892.09 billion to N1.102 trillion.
The commissioner further disclosed that the council received a briefing on programmes linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which are being implemented through collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Oyo State AfCFTA Office.
He noted that the Secretary-General of AfCFTA had praised Makinde for the progress made in implementing the initiative, saying it had opened up investment and trade opportunities for the state, particularly in industrialisation, agribusiness and export-driven enterprises.
To strengthen the state’s participation in the continental trade framework, the council approved the payment of $250,000 to AfCFTA.
The council also authorised N5.91 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan under the Health Insurance and Food Security components of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme.
Oyelade recalled that SAfER was introduced in 2023 to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Through the initiative, the government subsidised transportation for workers, senior citizens and vulnerable groups, distributed food supplies, provided health insurance coverage for pensioners and supported small businesses.
“Council was convinced that this assistance should continue because the hardship being experienced by citizens has not abated,” Oyelade added.
The council also congratulated Governor Makinde on Shooting Stars Football Club’s qualification for continental competition for the first time in 27 years.
READ ALSO: Oyo NUT Strike Leaves Pupils Idle, Parents Raise Concerns
Oyelade said the governor pledged that the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, would be upgraded and made ready to host the matches.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that the Elesinele of Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, was invited for questioning over the abduction of teachers and pupils.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade described the report as false and misleading.
The statement read, “This report is false, unfounded, and misleading. At no time was the said traditional ruler invited for questioning in relation to the ongoing investigation.”
Police said the publication was part of a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and create tension while security agencies continued efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The command urged residents to ignore the report and avoid circulating unverified information that could interfere with ongoing security operations.
“The attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to a report currently circulating across cyberspace alleging that High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, the Elesinele of Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has been invited for questioning in connection with ongoing investigations into the abduction of teachers and schoolchildren within the community.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that this report is false, unfounded, and misleading. At no time was the said traditional ruler invited for questioning in relation to the ongoing investigation.
The Command views this publication as part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation and disinformation orchestrated by criminal elements aimed at creating division, generating unnecessary tension, and undermining coordinated security efforts currently directed at securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
“Members of the public are, therefore, advised to disregard the report in its entirety and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of jeopardising ongoing security operations.”
The police reiterated their commitment to working with other security agencies and stakeholders to secure the release of the victims and ensure those behind the abduction face justice.