The Nigerian Union of Teachers has warned of a possible nationwide strike if the Oyo State Government enforces a “no work, no pay” policy on teachers protesting the abduction of their colleagues and pupils in Oyo State.
The National President of the union, Titus Amba, also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the safe rescue of all victims and put in place measures to prevent a recurrence.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that more than 40 pupils and teachers, including a toddler, were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, triggering widespread outrage.
Speaking on SPOTLIGHT, a live programme on Super 92.7 FM, Lagos, Amba lamented the deteriorating security situation across the country, declaring that “no one and nowhere is safe again.”
He stressed that the union would not allow its members to continue working under life-threatening conditions.
“Our responsibility as a union is to advocate for a conducive working environment for teachers, while government must ensure the safety of lives and property, including schools and everyone within them,” he said.
Amba warned that the union might direct teachers to stay away from classrooms until adequate security is guaranteed and those abducted are released.
“We will not fold our hands and allow our teachers to be kidnapped or killed while we are expected to continue teaching. If the environment is not safe, especially after what has happened in Oyo, we have the right to ask our members to remain at home,” he added.
The NUT president criticised the state government for failing to shut down schools after the incident, describing the response as inadequate.
According to him, states such as Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina had, in similar circumstances, immediately closed schools to safeguard lives, while the Federal Ministry of Education also shut unity colleges in vulnerable areas.
“What has happened in Oyo should ordinarily have led to the immediate closure of schools to restore calm and demonstrate concern for affected teachers and pupils,” he said.
Amba further cautioned against any attempt to penalise teachers who withdraw their services over insecurity, insisting that the union would resist such a move.
“If there is no safety in your workplace, you cannot be there. If the government insists on ‘no work, no pay’, teachers are ready to stay at home indefinitely,” he said.
He added that any enforcement of the policy in Oyo would spark a nationwide industrial action.
“If that is done in Oyo, it will not be limited to the state alone; teachers across the country will down tools,” he warned.
Meanwhile, teachers from Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, under the umbrella of the NUT and backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, have staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate rescue of the abducted victims and improved security in schools nationwide.
The protest highlights growing concerns among education stakeholders over persistent attacks on schools, which many say pose a grave threat to teaching and learning in Nigeria.
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