Oyo Teachers' Strike Disrupts Education, Raises Child Welfare Concerns

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has maintained an indefinite strike since June 1, 2026, keeping public primary and secondary schools closed across the state. The industrial action was declared in response to the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. The prolonged closure has left thousands of pupils without formal education and exposed children to idle time, street activities, and negative social influences.

Parents and teachers have expressed serious concerns about child welfare and supervision during the strike. Many children are roaming streets, engaging in petty trading, or spending excessive time in leisure activities without proper guidance. A teacher, Mrs. Yemisi Alao, criticized parental negligence, noting that some parents leave children unattended while attending to work or business. She warned that younger children aged three to seven are particularly vulnerable, as they are too young for apprenticeship programmes and often left idle at home. Some parents have attempted to address the gap by enrolling children in apprenticeships or adopting community-based supervision approaches.

The strike has disrupted academic schedules at a critical time, with pupils originally scheduled to commence continuous assessment exercises. Teachers and education stakeholders have warned that prolonged school closure could force rushed academic activities upon resumption and widen learning gaps among students. The situation has also highlighted a broader national pattern of reactive rather than proactive approaches to addressing challenges in children's education and security. Education stakeholders have called on the Oyo State Government to urgently resolve the industrial dispute and strengthen security measures in schools to prevent unauthorised access and future incidents.