The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing strike and allow pupils and students to return to classrooms across the state.
The appeal followed a meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.
The national leadership of the NUT had declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State on May 29, demanding urgent action following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area by suspected bandits on May 15.
Oyelade said the council recognised the concerns that prompted the industrial action but warned that the prolonged closure of schools could create wider social and economic challenges.
“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,” the statement said.
As part of efforts to strengthen the education sector, the council approved N8.76 billion for the procurement of textbooks and instructional materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
The commissioner said the approval forms part of a broader N23.012 billion intervention package for education.
The textbooks and learning materials will be supplied through a partnership involving the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank. The materials will cover key subjects including Mathematics, English Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Basic Science.
According to the government, the project could also unlock additional performance-based funding 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 ($2) per student per subject, in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement,” the statement added.
The council also approved an upward review of the 2026 budget, increasing it from N892.08 billion to N1.102 trillion to facilitate the completion of ongoing projects across the state.
In addition, approval was granted for a $250,000 payment to the African Continental Free Trade Area to enhance Oyo State’s participation in continental trade opportunities.
The government further approved N5.91 billion for the 2026 work plan of the Health Insurance and Food Security components of the SAfER programme.
The statement noted that Seyi Makinde introduced the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme in 2023 to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on residents.
