Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing strike and reopen public schools closed in protest over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.
The governor assured residents that security agencies and the state government are intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.
The appeal was conveyed in a statement issued after the State Executive Council meeting, where the government acknowledged the concerns that led to the strike but noted that prolonged school closures could have far-reaching social and economic consequences.
The council reiterated its commitment to resolving the kidnapping incident and restoring normalcy to affected communities.
As part of efforts to strengthen education, the Executive Council approved the release of N8.77 billion as the first phase of funding for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The total project cost is estimated at N23.01 billion.
The materials will include textbooks covering literacy, numeracy, mathematics, English language and basic science, in line with programmes supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and development partners.
The council also approved a supplementary budget that increases the state’s 2026 appropriation from N892.1 billion to N1.102 trillion. The adjustment is aimed at ensuring the completion of ongoing infrastructure and development projects before the end of the current administration.
In addition, the government approved the payment of $250,000 to support the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) programmes in Oyo State, a move expected to strengthen investment, industrialisation, agribusiness and export opportunities.
The council further approved N5.91 billion for the implementation of the 2026 Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, which focuses on health insurance, food security and economic support for vulnerable residents.
The government maintained that the intervention remains necessary to cushion the effects of prevailing economic challenges and improve the welfare of citizens across the state.
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