Oriire Abduction: Oyo Education Commissioner Visits Affected Communities As Children Take Up Vocational Skills Instead School

The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, has visited communities affected by the recent security incident in Oriire Local Government Area, where some children have taken up vocational skills instead of returning to school, while a Baptist-owned school in Yawota has yet to resume for the new academic session.

Olayiwola, who led senior officials of the ministry on the working visit to the affected communities on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, engaged children, parents, teachers, traditional rulers, security personnel and other stakeholders on measures to restore normal academic activities and ensure the safe return of learners to school.

During the visit to Yawota, the Commissioner interacted with parents and children and expressed concern over reports that some children had not returned to school but were instead learning various vocational skills during school hours.

He subsequently visited some of the locations where the children were undergoing skills acquisition and encouraged their parents to remain committed to their children’s education.

Olayiwola directed relevant officials of the ministry to follow up on the affected learners and facilitate their return to school, stressing the need to prevent a further increase in the number of out-of-school children in the state.

At Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the delegation observed that the school had not resumed for the new academic session.

The Commissioner consequently directed the Director of Basic Education to liaise with the Nigerian Baptist Conference on possible interventions to support the school and prevent its closure, noting that the institution is privately owned by the Conference.

The Commissioner also visited Iseyin District Grammar School, where he assessed teaching and learning activities following the resumption of the first-term academic session.

He expressed concern over the level of preparedness observed and charged members of staff to demonstrate greater commitment, diligence and efficiency in the discharge of their responsibilities.

At Esiele, Olayiwola paid a courtesy visit to the Elesinele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abisoye, where he sought the continued support of the traditional institution towards restoring normal educational activities in the community.

The traditional ruler reaffirmed the Palace’s support for schools and teachers in the area, noting that accommodation had been provided for government teachers in the community.

He, however, raised concerns over the continued use of the Primary Health Centre by military personnel as accommodation, saying the development was affecting the activities of medical personnel. He appealed for the matter to be addressed.

At Ahoro-Esiele Community Grammar School, the Commissioner held discussions with students, teachers, parents, military personnel and other stakeholders on the challenges confronting the school.

The teachers identified shortage of personnel, particularly Mathematics teachers, as one of the major challenges facing the school. In response, the Commissioner directed the Tutor General to facilitate the posting of additional teachers to the school.

The Commissioner also received an appeal from Parent-Teacher Association teachers seeking consideration for absorption into the Teaching Service Commission, based on their continued commitment to the school before, during and after the security incident.

He directed the Tutor General to prepare a submission on the engagement of interested indigenes of the community who are willing to teach, for onward consideration by the Executive Governor of Oyo State.

Addressing the learning needs of students, particularly newly admitted JSS1 learners, Olayiwola directed the Tutor General to provide appropriate learning support, while the Curriculum Department was tasked with assessing the availability of relevant textbooks for the school.

The military personnel stationed in the area also highlighted mobility challenges affecting their patrol activities and requested patrol vans or motorcycles to enhance security coverage within the axis.

The working visit later continued to Oyo, where the Commissioner met with principals, teachers, students and two serving members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyekola and Hon. Olorunpooto, at Isale Oyo Community Grammar School.

During the visit, stakeholders raised concerns over alleged activities of land grabbers who were clearing portions of the school’s land. The matter, according to the stakeholders, had been reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

The visit underscored the state government’s efforts to ensure that security challenges do not permanently disrupt access to education, while strengthening collaboration among schools, communities, traditional institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders to restore confidence and sustain learning in affected communities.