Labour leaders laud pro-worker initiatives across education, health and judiciary
From Moshood Karim
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has raised the minimum wage for state employees from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000, effective immediately.
The announcement came during the 2025 May Day celebration held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where the Governor addressed a large gathering of workers, union leaders and government officials. The decision, confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, signals what many see as a deepening of the administration’s commitment to workers’ rights and welfare.
Governor Okpebholo hailed the dedication of Edo’s workforce, describing them as “the engine room of our development,” and pledged to continue policies that prioritise their wellbeing.
“This wage increase is more than a figure; it is a reflection of our gratitude to Edo workers,” he stated. “It is also a call for renewed commitment, as we work hand in hand to build a greater state.”
Beyond the wage hike, Governor Okpebholo unveiled a series of ongoing reforms within the public sector. Notably, over 1,000 casual staff, including cleaners, have been absorbed into the civil service. Additionally, the government has recruited 500 teachers to ease pressure in public schools, while over 3,000 teaching roles are currently under review for full employment status.
In the health sector, the governor disclosed the recruitment of 450 clinical and support staff across state hospitals, alongside the regularisation of 126 contract workers at the Edo State Specialist Hospital. He affirmed these measures would both bolster healthcare delivery and provide greater job stability for medical professionals.
Other key achievements highlighted include the full settlement of salary arrears owed to staff at Edo State Polytechnic, the swearing-in of previously delayed judicial appointments, and the extension of health insurance to retired public servants.
“Retirement does not end our responsibility,” Okpebholo noted. “Our duty to our workers continues even after they leave active service.”
In his remarks, the acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide, applauded the governor’s swift and sustained focus on labour-friendly policies, crediting him with “raising the bar” within only six months in office.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Reclaiming the Civil Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’, speaks to the reality many workers face,” Egwekhide said. “Yet here in Edo, we have reason to hope, because we have a government that listens and responds.”
He also acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for ongoing infrastructural development in the state, including the construction of the first-ever flyover in Benin and rehabilitation of federal roads.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa; Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Blessing Agbebaku; Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff, Gani Audu; Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa; and APC State Chairman, Jaret Tenebe, among others.
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