The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has dedicated the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to teachers and learners affected by the May 15, 2026 attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area of the State.

The NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, stated this on Monday while delivering his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

The celebration, held under the theme “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures,” brought together teachers, education administrators, Government officials, labour leaders and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said education could not be transformed without teachers, stressing that their status, competence and welfare remained central to the future of education.

Adeniran, who noted that the celebration marked 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, said standing with teachers must go beyond ceremonial appreciation to include professional development, decent working conditions, teaching and learning resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.

He added that Oyo SUBEB would continue collaborating with relevant authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to strengthen teacher quality and improve basic education across the State.

Adeniran also commended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as its strong commitment to teachers’ welfare, saying the government had consistently placed the interests of teachers high on its education agenda. He highlighted the payment of outstanding leave allowances inherited from previous administrations, regular payment of teachers’ salaries and abolishing of teachers’ six years waiting period.

He added that the Seyi Makinde administration has also approved the upgrade of teachers Grade Level above GL14.

Adeniran also assured teachers that their voices would remain part of policy discussions aimed at improving basic education, noting that the collective responsibility of Government, education authorities, school leaders, teachers, parents and communities was to ensure that every child in Oyo State has access to a competent, motivated, supported and professionally respected teacher.

Comrade Hassan Fatai, in his address, said the celebration was being held with mixed feelings following the sacrifices made by teachers and learners affected by the May 15 attack in Oriire.

He described the victims as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the State,” announcing that the NUT would honour surviving victims with its Heroes and Heroines Award, support families of slain teachers and identify with affected learners.

The NUT chairman commended Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Commissioner for Education Segun Olayiwola, Dr. Adeniran, TESCOM Chairperson Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, Special Adviser on Education Intervention Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy and other stakeholders for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts.

He also praised the State Government’s support for teachers while urging it to sustain improved welfare and working conditions.

Fatai, however, presented fresh demands on behalf of teachers, including full implementation of the Safe School Programme, integration of 135 teachers into the TESCOM employment structure, approval of inter-local Government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005, administrative flexibility on conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.

He further urged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments, stressing that protecting, respecting, rewarding, empowering and investing in teachers remained essential to strengthening education and securing the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.

The event was attended by top Government functionaries, and NUT leaders in the State.

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers who demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of the Oriire school attack. The awardees included the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; Vice Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.

E-signed:

Com. Salami Olukayode,

Secretary,

Oyo NUT.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from schools beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice.

The directive, issued by the national leadership of the union, is in protest against the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.

According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.

The NUT said the industrial action is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.

The union urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.

It also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagements with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

The union concluded by assuring members that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and security of teachers and learners across the country.

Signed:

Hassan A. Fatai,
Chairman,
NUT, Oyo State Wing.

Com. Salami Olukayode,
Secretary,
NUT, Oyo State Wing.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Saturday issued a follow-up statement to express deepening concern over the continued captivity of the pupils and teachers abducted during the tragic attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities precisely in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Days after our initial public outcry, the situation has grown even more distressing following the emergence of another disturbing video released by the abductors, showing our colleagues in traumatic conditions soliciting for their unconditional release from the den of their abductors.

The Union views this development as both heartbreaking, barbaric and unacceptable. No child or teacher deserves to endure such terror.

Their prolonged stay in captivity is inflicting psychological pain on their families, the school community, and the entire teaching profession.

We hereby call for expedited and more decisive actions from the government and all relevant security agencies.

This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven effort to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers.

The NUT acknowledges the ongoing interventions by the government and security operatives, but we emphasize that time is of the essence.

Every additional minute these innocent victims spend in the hands of their abductors deepens the trauma and raises concerns about their welfare and emotion which has been totally impaired.

We urge the authorities to intensify surveillance, strengthen community intelligence, and deploy all necessary operational resources not leaving out serious diplomatic approaches to rescue them without any further delay.

We also call on local leaders, community stakeholders, and citizens to support security agencies with any credible information that can aid the rescue efforts. The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority.

The Union stands firmly with the families of the abductees, offering our solidarity and prayers during this agonizing period.

We remain committed to ensuring that our schools become safe havens, never battlegrounds.

We demand swift and responsive actions, renewed commitment, and unwavering resolve from all authorities involved.

Signed:
Com. Hassan Ajibola Fatai,
Chairman,
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing

Com. Salami Olukayode,
Secretary,
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing.

…monitors the Ongoing Exams

The Oyo Government has urged all students to eschew any form of malpractices during the ongoing National Examination Council examination.

The new Chairman Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Oladipo Olubukola made this known during the monitoring exercise to some secondary schools across different zones in the State on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mrs. Oladipo Olubukola highlighted that the Teaching Service Commission remains committed to upholding high quality academic standards through collaborative effort with relevant authorities, ensuring that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken on whoever is involved in examination malpractices.

Mrs. Oladipo advised teachers and students not to cut corners during examinations as this might hinder their academic progress.

She urged them to face their academics, as this will foster their academic development in their various universities of choice.

According to her, the Government of Engineer Seyi Makinde has zero tolerance for examination malpractices.

She explained that the exercise was conducted to assess the situation during the ongoing NECO examinations in public schools across the State.

In his remarks the Principal of Ibadan Grammar School, Mr. Ogunleye Biodun commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for giving education development a special priority in his administration.

He further commended the Governor for considering teachers for the post of permanent secretaries and timely approval for promotion for teachers in Oyo State.

The monitoring exercise conducted included visits to exam centers at Ibadan grammar school, St. Anne’s school, Olubi memorial grammar school and Saint Luke’s College, Ibadan.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.

Digital education in Oyo State Post Primary Teaching Service received a boost, with the formal commissioning of the Education Management Information System, EMIS, at the TESCOM headquarters, in Ibadan.

The Chairman Oyo State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission TESCOM, Pastor Akinade Alamu said the system will serve as the central education data bank for effective information gathering, analysis, education planning and management.

Alamu, who commissioned the project said the new unit would equally promote accessibility to quality education, and content delivery.

He revealed that before the introduction of the EMIS Unit, the Commission had been able to digitalise its activities.

Pastor Alamu lauded the Department of Planning Research and Statistics for  keeping up to date information and Statistics that contributed to Oyo State  winning the World Bank Grant.

He added that the commission had applied for the World Bank grant over 2 years, ago, but the data used by TESCOM during the recruitment of 5,000 teachers through the computer based test was acknowledged globally saying it is one of the indices that was used in rating Oyo State as one of the 3 States qualified for the grant.

The Director Planning Research and Statistics, Mrs. Taiwo Olajombo, charged all stakeholders not to relent in their efforts to uplift every aspect of education in the State.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Oyo State.