By Public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State will return to classrooms on Thursday after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) suspended the industrial action it embarked on following the deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The decision followed consultations between the union’s national leadership, the Oyo State Government and other stakeholders over measures to improve security in schools and secure the release of teachers and pupils abducted during the attack.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Oyo State leadership of the union, teachers were directed to resume work from Thursday, July 2, 2026, ending the strike that had disrupted academic activities across public schools in the state.
The union said it accepted the government’s assurances that efforts were being intensified to rescue those still in captivity and strengthen security around schools, describing the move as being in the best interest of teachers, learners and the wider public.
Among the commitments highlighted by the government are the deployment of a Joint Security Task Force to patrol vulnerable schools and surrounding communities, expanded rescue operations, support for affected families, rehabilitation for victims after their release, and payment of outstanding gratuities and other benefits to the families of teachers who lost their lives.
The government also pledged to reinforce the Safe School Initiative through improved public awareness, early warning mechanisms, faster emergency response, enhanced intelligence gathering, action against criminal hideouts, upgrades to school infrastructure, stricter measures against illegal mining and open grazing in forest areas, better welfare for security personnel and the use of technology to improve school safety.
The NUT praised teachers across the state for observing the strike directive and acknowledged the support of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) throughout the industrial action.
As schools prepare to reopen, the union advised teachers to remain alert, comply with security guidelines and promptly report any suspicious activity or threats within their schools and host communities.
The union added that it would continue engaging the state government until every outstanding concern relating to the safety and welfare of teachers and students is fully resolved.
