Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has officially revised the 2025/2026 academic calendar for all public primary and secondary schools across the state, confirming that schools will resume on Monday, July 6, 2026, following the suspension of a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
The adjustment was contained in a circular dated July 2, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. B.T. Oyinloye. According to the circular, “schools are to resume on Monday, July 6, 2026, for the continuation of the academic session.” The ministry stated that the resumed academic term “will run for six weeks, ending on Friday, August 14, 2026”.
Under the revised calendar, students and teachers will proceed on a four-week break immediately after the end of the term. The circular noted that the ministry “approved a four-week holiday beginning from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Friday, September 11, 2026”. The revised schedule also provides a commencement date for the next academic year. According to the ministry, “the 2026/2027 first term will commence on Monday, September 14, 2026”.
The structural extension became necessary after a month-long industrial dispute completely emptied state classrooms throughout June. The strike, which began on June 1, 2026, led to the closure of public schools across the state. The industrial action was triggered by the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, during which gunmen abducted teachers and pupils and killed two teachers. The incident sparked protests and calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and secure the victims’ release.
The strike was suspended after discussions between the union and the Oyo State Government. NUT President Titus Amba said the decision to return to classrooms was made in the interest of students, particularly younger pupils who had remained out of school during the strike. The union's decision has, however, ignited condemnations from some Nigerians who questioned why the union would call off the strike without the matter of the abduction being resolved.
Under the fresh guidelines, students will face a highly compressed learning program to cover lost ground. The current term will terminate on Friday, August 14, forcing teachers to squeeze a heavy curriculum into just six weeks. School administrators must now balance accelerated lesson plans with objective student assessments before the looming examinations. The state has directed teachers to focus intensely on core subjects to minimize the deficit in basic literacy and numeracy.
While the prompt return to work provides immediate bureaucratic relief, it places an enormous burden on an already exhausted teaching workforce. Meanwhile, early resumption data show that actual pupil attendance remains disappointingly low across major urban centers like Ibadan. Though classrooms officially reopened on Thursday, many parents kept their children at home due to lingering security anxieties or communication gaps. School heads expect numbers to improve significantly once the formal July 6 resumption date forces compliance. Local authorities are using this transition period to test new early warning systems and patrol networks around vulnerable rural borders. For now, the administration has managed to fix its broken calendar, even if classroom safety remains a delicate gamble.
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