Petition Calls for Naming Secondary School After Slain Oyo Teacher Michael Oyedokun
Crime/Social Justice
Ibadan, Oyo – A public appeal has been made to the Oyo State Government to immortalize the late Michael Oyedokun, a dedicated Mathematics teacher brutally murdered by kidnappers, by renaming a secondary school in his honor as the Michael Oyedokun Memorial Grammar School in Oriire, Esinele.
The appeal, posted by Bunmi Adetona on X (@adunnishadollar), comes amid ongoing mourning for Oyedokun, who was abducted during a coordinated attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area in May 2026.
Oyedokun, a Vice Principal and Mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle also referred to as Esinele, was among teachers and pupils seized by gunmen on or around May 15, 2026.
The attackers targeted multiple schools in the area, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School and LA Primary School.
While other hostages were eventually rescued after a prolonged security operation involving the military and local forces, Oyedokun was beheaded in captivity.
A graphic video of the killing circulated online, deeply traumatizing his family and the wider community.
His brother, Samuel Oyedokun, who resides in the United States, described the family’s enduring pain in an interview with Punch Newspapers, noting that Michael was content with his teaching career in Oyo State and had risen to a leadership position at the school.
Many have hailed Oyedokun as a committed educator and Christian who served his community faithfully.
Bunmi Adetona’s petition frames the proposed naming as a fitting tribute:
The call has resonated online, with supporters arguing that such a memorial would not only honor Oyedokun’s legacy but also highlight the need for better security in rural schools and communities vulnerable to banditry.
The abduction and subsequent rescue operations in Oriire drew significant attention, leading the Oyo State Government to temporarily shut schools in affected areas and intensify security measures, as recent reports indicate that remaining hostages were freed, bringing relief to the community, though the loss of Oyedokun remains a painful scar.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Oyo State Government regarding the naming proposal, but advocates hope the appeal will prompt authorities to consider educational memorials as a way to honor victims of insecurity while strengthening protections for schools.
Oyedokun’s story underscores the ongoing challenges of school safety in parts of Nigeria and the profound impact of dedicated teachers on local communities.
His family continues to call for an end to the circulation of graphic content related to his death while seeking justice and lasting remembrance.
