NUT delayed planned Indefinite Strike in Oyo, cites ongoing WEAC Exams

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo state chapter, says the ongoing 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations delayed its industrial action over the abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren and teachers.
On Sunday, the national body of the union declared an indefinite strike in the state, demanding urgent rescue of the kidnap victims.
In a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by Audu Amba, NUT president, and Clinton Ikpitibo, secretary general, the union also directed all state wings to hold solidarity rallies across the country on Tuesday.
In a statement on Sunday signed by Salami Olukayode, secretary of the Oyo state wing of the NUT, the union confirmed full compliance with the directive.
About 39 students and seven teachers were abducted by suspected bandits across three schools in the Oriire axis of Ogbomoso on May 15.
The attackers killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist in one of the affected schools.
The following Monday, the gunmen beheaded Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, sparking nationwide outrage.
In two separate videos posted on Instagram on Friday, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who was also abducted, said the kidnappers were on the verge of killing another victim, urging the government to urgently negotiate their release.
The NUT has in the past week come under intense criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the perceived inactivity of the union over the plight of their colleagues in captivity.
The 2026 WASSCE began on April 21 and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 19, with General Mathematics expected to hold on Wednesday, while English Language is billed for June 10.
Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Olukayode said the union delayed the mass action out of consideration for the ongoing WAEC examinations.
“It is the same consideration for the ongoing WAEC exams that has delayed our response till this time,” Olukayode said.
“But there is a limit to human endurance, and since we couldn’t continue like that, we had to take action starting today.
“The teachers that have roles to play in the exams are the same ones affected by the abduction.
“We don’t expect the mass action to affect the exams since it’s international. So, school management should find ways to handle the situation.”
On Saturday, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, visited families of the victims in the affected communities, while Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), led a federal government delegation to Ogbomoso on Sunday.
Tinubu has also directed the deployment of a “specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities” to secure the release of the victims.