Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been named Governor of the Year (Education) by New Telegraph Newspapers in recognition of his administration’s remarkable achievements in the education sector.
The award, which will be formally presented at the newspaper’s award ceremony later in the year, acknowledges what stakeholders have described as unprecedented progress recorded within the governor’s first year in office.
Speaking on the recognition, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, highlighted that the Okpebholo administration has constructed over 100 schools, recruited more than 6,000 teachers, and significantly increased funding for tertiary institutions across the state.
According to Iyamu, monthly subvention to Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, was raised from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, while Edo University, Iyamho, saw its allocation increase from ₦25 million to ₦250 million.
He also cited the construction of modern workshops, procurement of advanced equipment, and the strengthening of technical colleges statewide. In addition, the state government has entered into international partnerships that have enabled Edo teachers and students to study and gain exposure abroad.
Iyamu further disclosed that the administration has completed the digitalisation of certificates across schools, making academic records accessible from anywhere in the world. Infrastructure development has also received attention, including the construction of six kilometres of internal roads at the state-owned polytechnic in Usen—its first in 23 years—through collaboration with the NDDC.
Other milestones include the reintroduction of bursary payments to students after 20 years, the ongoing dualisation of Ekpoma Road with concrete pavement and street lighting, and the resolution of long-standing induction challenges affecting 128 medical graduates and 810 nursing graduates of AAU.
The administration also addressed admission irregularities involving over 1,000 students, which had prevented them from participating in the NYSC scheme, and is currently constructing a 600-bed hostel and a two-in-one 500-seat lecture theatre at AAU.
Iyamu added that teachers’ welfare has improved significantly and praised the strategic partnership with NELFUND, aimed at ensuring that no Edo tertiary student is forced out of school due to inability to pay fees.
He described the award as well deserved, noting that it would further motivate Governor Okpebholo to deepen reforms in the education sector, adding that “even more achievements are underway.”
