Oyo State suspends school excursions, external activities over insecurity fears

In a decisive move to prioritize the safety of its students, the Oyo State Government has issued a directive suspending all school excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any other activities requiring students to leave school premises. This precautionary measure comes in the wake of a deeply concerning and deadly coordinated abduction attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that has left several students and teachers in captivity and heightened security anxieties across the state.

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In view of the recent security concerns, the Ministry is taking steps to safeguard the lives of students and members of staff in all schools in Oyo State.

The Ministry of Education, through a circular dated May 22, 2026, has made it unequivocally clear that this suspension takes immediate effect and supersedes any prior approvals for external school activities. The circular explicitly states that the decision is a direct response to the "recent security concerns" and underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding the lives of students and staff. This proactive stance reflects a growing awareness and urgency among state authorities to address the escalating security challenges impacting educational institutions.

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All School Administrators are hereby directed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice.

From our perspective in Oyo State, this suspension is a necessary, albeit unfortunate, consequence of the prevailing insecurity. While such measures may disrupt academic and extracurricular calendars, the paramount importance of ensuring the physical safety of our children cannot be overstated. The government's message is clear: the safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all other activities. This aligns with the deep-seated concern felt by parents and communities who are increasingly anxious about the vulnerability of students in the current climate.

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Meanwhile, the safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities.

School administrators have been further instructed to maintain vigilance, keep students within school premises during school hours, and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. The directive will remain in effect until the security situation improves, at which point it will be reviewed. This situation highlights a critical challenge facing many regions, where the pursuit of education is increasingly overshadowed by the need for basic security, a reality that demands robust and sustained attention from all levels of government and security apparatus.

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School Administrators are equally enjoined to keep students within school premises during school hours and should report any suspicious activity around school premises to Law Enforcement Agencies within their jurisdiction.