Makinde urges resumption of classes, approves N8.7bn for learning materials
By Adejayan Gbenga
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing strike and reopen public schools across Oyo State, assuring residents that efforts are being intensified to secure the release of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The appeal came as the Oyo State Executive Council approved N8.77 billion for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools and raised the state’s 2026 budget to more than N1.1 trillion through a supplementary appropriation.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued after the council meeting, saying that while the concerns of the NUT were understandable, the continued closure of schools could have far-reaching consequences for pupils and the education sector.
According to Oyelade, the state government remains committed to addressing the security challenge that led to the abduction incident and is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe return of the victims.
The council approved the release of N8,768,954,000 as the first tranche of funding for the procurement of educational materials under a N23.01 billion intervention programme being implemented in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank.
Oyelade said the materials would cover core subjects, including Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language and Basic Science. He added that successful implementation of the programme could qualify the state for a performance-based disbursement of $2 per student per subject.
The Executive Council also approved a supplementary budget that increased the state’s 2026 appropriation from N892.09 billion to N1.102 trillion. The commissioner explained that the additional funding was requested by ministries, departments and agencies to facilitate the completion of ongoing projects and key government programmes.
In separate approvals, the council sanctioned the payment of $250,000 to support programmes under the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative and approved N5.91 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan under the Health Insurance and Food Security components of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery programme. Oyelade said the measures were designed to boost investment opportunities and sustain efforts to cushion the impact of prevailing economic challenges on residents.
