The Oyo State Executive Council has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing withdrawal of services and allow pupils and students across public schools in the state to return to the classroom, even as the government approved several major financial commitments aimed at strengthening education, infrastructure, healthcare, food security, and economic development.
The resolutions were reached during the Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, where members reviewed pressing issues affecting the state, particularly the disruption of academic activities following security concerns arising from the abduction of teachers and schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Council acknowledged the concerns raised by the NUT over the safety of teachers and learners but urged the union to consider the long-term consequences of keeping schools closed. According to the government, while the fears of teachers are understandable, continued disruption of the academic calendar could have far-reaching educational, social, and economic implications for thousands of learners across the state.
The state government reassured residents that strategic efforts are ongoing to bring an end to the kidnapping crisis in Oriire Local Government Area and secure the release of the remaining victims. It expressed confidence that ongoing security operations and interventions would soon yield positive outcomes.
As part of efforts to improve learning outcomes and strengthen basic education, the Council approved the immediate release of ₦8.77 billion as the first tranche of funding for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across Oyo State.
The approved materials will cover critical subject areas including Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language, and Basic Science under the World Bank-assisted Better Education Service Delivery for All–Additional Financing for Teacher Effectiveness and School Transformation (BESDA-AFTESS) programme.
Government officials explained that the intervention is expected to improve the quality of instruction and enhance access to modern learning resources in public schools. The total value of the BESDA-AFTESS project stands at ₦23.01 billion.
The Council further disclosed that successful implementation of the programme would qualify Oyo State for a performance-based reward under the World Bank arrangement. Under the scheme, the state will receive a disbursement of two United States dollars per pupil per subject, creating additional incentives for improved educational delivery and accountability.
Beyond education, the Executive Council also approved a supplementary budget of ₦210 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. The additional allocation is intended to accelerate the completion of ongoing projects across various sectors before the expiration of the current administration.
The approval increases the state’s 2026 budget from ₦892.09 billion to ₦1.102 trillion, reflecting the government’s determination to complete key infrastructure, social development, and economic projects within the remaining period of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
In another major decision, the Council approved the payment of $250,000 to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative. The government said the investment would strengthen Oyo State’s participation in continental trade opportunities and position the state to attract greater investments from across Africa.
According to officials, the AfCFTA engagement is expected to open new opportunities in industrialisation, agribusiness, export promotion, and cross-border commerce, thereby enhancing the state’s economic competitiveness and creating employment opportunities for residents.
The Executive Council also approved the sum of ₦5.91 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan of the Health Insurance and Food Security components of the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme.
The SAfER initiative was established by Governor Makinde in 2023 as a response to the economic hardship triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. Since its introduction, the programme has focused on cushioning the effects of rising living costs through transportation support, food distribution, healthcare interventions, and assistance for vulnerable groups.
Government officials maintained that the continuation of the programme has become necessary due to the persistent economic challenges facing many households. They noted that sustaining investments in healthcare, food security, and social welfare remains crucial to protecting vulnerable citizens and promoting inclusive development across the state.
The decisions reached by the Executive Council underscore Oyo State’s commitment to balancing educational development, economic recovery, social protection, and infrastructure delivery, while also addressing the security concerns that have recently disrupted learning activities in parts of the state.
