Makinde Appeals to NUT to Suspend Strike as Oyo Approves N8.7bn for Schools, Increases 2026 Budget to N1.1tn

Governor Seyi Makinde has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers to suspend its ongoing strike action and reopen public schools shut in protest over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, assuring residents that efforts are being intensified to secure the victims’ release.

The appeal came as the State Executive Council approved ₦8.7 billion for the procurement of teaching and learning materials and increased the 2026 budget to ₦1.1 trillion to accelerate development projects across the state.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, following the Executive Council meeting.

According to the Commissioner, “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 council reassured residents that the government is taking strategic measures to ensure that the kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area is resolved as soon as possible.

During the meeting, the Council approved the release of ₦8,768,954,000 in the first instance for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The total cost of the project stands at ₦23,012,000,000.

In line with the requirements of the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank, the textbooks to be procured will cover numeracy, literacy, mathematics, English Language and Basic Science.

Oyelade explained that upon successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State would become eligible for a reward-based disbursement of two United States dollars per student per subject under the project’s results-based financing arrangement.

The Council also approved a realignment and supplementary budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

According to the Commissioner, several Ministries, Departments and Agencies requested upward budget reviews to ensure the completion of ongoing projects before the end of the current administration.

As a result, the Council approved an increase in the 2026 budget from ₦892.09 billion to ₦1.102 trillion.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the Council received a briefing on the implementation of programmes related to the African Continental Free Trade Area being undertaken by the Office of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat in collaboration with the Oyo State AfCFTA Office.

He noted that the Secretary-General of AfCFTA commended Governor Makinde for the progress recorded in implementing the initiative in Oyo State, particularly in opening up trade and investment opportunities across Africa in areas such as industrialisation, agribusiness and export-oriented enterprises.