By Ebuanekpe Joy
The Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has announced the upward review of the minimum wage of public servants in the State from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 per month, as part of the commemoration of the year 2025 Workers’ Day.
Sen. Okpebholo asserted that the wage increase represents more than mere figures. According to him, it is an expression of gratitude to the dedicated men and women whose daily efforts sustain the progress of the State. He reiterated that his administration will continually explore avenues to strengthen workers’ welfare, noting that since taking office, he has regularized over one thousand casual workers and recruited five hundred additional teachers into the public service.
Highlighting the vital roles of education in the State’s development, the Governor directed a comprehensive review of the Edo STAR Fellows programme, which deploys graduate teachers to underserved schools. The review aims to identify eligible participants for conversion into full public-service appointment, as part of measures towards ensuring the continuity of quality teaching in basic schools.
Beyond the education sector, the administration of Sen. Okpebholo has taken bold steps to improve the State’s health and social services. He highlighted the recent recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for the State hospitals, the regularization of 126 contract workers at the Edo State Specialist Hospital, and the clearance of longstanding salary arrears of the staff of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen. Retirees have also benefited with the introduction of health-insurance coverage to ensure that retired public servants receive dignified care after years of service.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman, Barr. (Mrs.) Onomen Briggs, who participated in the march-past at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, to salute the Governor, affirmed that SUBEB will lead the process by convening an implementation committee to audit current placements, establish clear conversion criteria in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, and deliver its recommendations by the end of the second quarter of the year.
In attendance were top-government functionaries and representatives of labour unions, reflecting a unified commitment to workers’ welfare across all sectors. As SUBEB prepares to implement the new directives, the Board remains focused on fostering an enabling environment for teachers and support staff in ensuring that the foundation of the State’s basic education system continues to progress, motivated, and well-rewarded.
