The Oyo State Government has urged the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its withdrawal of pupils from public schools and allow academic activities to resume across the state.
It would be recalled that the withdrawal of teachers from classes came place as a result of the abduction that occurred at Oriire recently.
The appeal followed the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade acknowledged the concerns that led to the union’s action but urged the teachers to consider the broader consequences of prolonged disruption to the academic calendar.
“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.
He added that the government remained committed to addressing security concerns that prompted the action, assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to resolve the kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area.
“Council reassured that the government is taking strategic steps to ensure that the issue of the kidnapping at Oriire Local Government is brought to a close soon,” Oyelade stated.
The Executive Council also approved the release of ₦8.77 billion as the first tranche for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The total cost of the project is estimated at ₦23.01 billion.
The textbooks, to be procured in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the World Bank, will cover Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language and Basic Science.
Highlighting the benefits of the initiative, the commissioner said, “Upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State becomes eligible for a reward-based disbursement of Two United States Dollars (US$2) per student per subject, in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement.”
The council also approved the realignment and supplementary budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to Oyelade, the adjustment became necessary following requests from ministries, departments and agencies seeking additional funding to complete ongoing projects before the expiration of the current administration.
“In order to meet the aspirations of this administration and its determination to ensure that all ongoing projects across the state are completed before the end of this administration, some ministries, departments and agencies have requested increments in their budgets,” he said.
As a result, the state’s 2026 budget was increased from ₦892.09 billion to ₦1.102 trillion.
The council further approved the implementation of programmes related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
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Oyelade disclosed that the AfCFTA Secretary-General commended Governor Seyi Makinde for the progress recorded in implementing the continental trade initiative in the state.
He said the commendation was based on “the remarkable progress recorded in the implementation of the AfCFTA initiative within the state, which has exposed Oyo State to trade and investment opportunities in Africa, particularly in the areas of industrialisation, agribusiness and export-oriented enterprises.”
To strengthen the state’s investment prospects across the continent, the council approved the payment of $250,000 to support AfCFTA-related programmes.
In another major decision, the Executive Council approved ₦5.91 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan of the Health Insurance and Food Security components of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme.
Oyelade recalled that the initiative was launched by Governor Makinde in 2023 to cushion the effects of the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy.
The programme has provided transport subsidies for workers, elderly citizens and vulnerable groups, distributed food items, expanded health insurance coverage for pensioners and supported small-scale businesses.
The commissioner said the council considered it necessary to continue the intervention because “the hardship being experienced by citizens has not abated.”
The council also congratulated Governor Makinde on the qualification of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) for continental competition, marking the club’s return to Africa’s elite football stage after 27 years.
According to Oyelade, the governor assured that the Lekan Salami Stadium would be ready to host continental matches when the competition begins.
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