Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo Wins New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for Education Reforms

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been named Governor of the Year by New Telegraph Newspapers in recognition of what the organisation described as far-reaching reforms and investments in the state’s education sector within his first year in office.

The award, according to officials, will be formally presented to the governor at New Telegraph’s annual award ceremony scheduled for later in the year. It comes amid growing national attention on subnational governments that are prioritising education funding at a time of fiscal pressure and rising enrolment across Nigeria.

According to New Telegraph, the decision was based on a review of policy outcomes and measurable interventions implemented by the Okpebholo administration since it assumed office, particularly in basic, technical and tertiary education.

Rapid school expansion and teacher recruitment

Within the first year of the administration, the Edo State Government constructed more than 100 new schools across different parts of the state and recruited over 6,000 teachers to address staffing gaps, according to figures released by the Ministry of Education.

Education analysts say the scale and speed of these interventions stand out in a sector where infrastructure deficits and teacher shortages have persisted for decades. In Edo, public schools have long struggled with overcrowded classrooms, outdated facilities and uneven teacher distribution between urban and rural areas.

Dr Paddy Iyamu, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, said the administration adopted an aggressive expansion strategy to reverse years of underinvestment. Speaking on the award, Iyamu noted that beyond building new schools, the government focused on equipping them properly to improve learning outcomes.

According to him, the state has constructed new workshops, procured modern instructional equipment and strengthened technical colleges across Edo to better align skills training with labour market needs.

Sharp increase in university subventions

One of the most significant policy shifts under Governor Okpebholo has been the sharp increase in monthly subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions, a move that has drawn attention from higher education stakeholders nationwide.

Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, saw its monthly subvention rise from N41 million to N500 million, a more than tenfold increase. Similarly, Edo University, Iyamho, recorded an increase from N25 million to N250 million monthly.

According to the state government, the new funding levels are intended to stabilise academic calendars, improve staff welfare and reduce the burden of internally generated revenue pressures on universities.

Iyamu said the funding boost has already helped institutions address outstanding obligations and plan long-term capital projects. “Sustainable funding is critical if universities are to focus on teaching, research and innovation rather than survival,” he said.

Resolving long-standing student crises

Another factor cited in the award decision was the administration’s intervention in resolving several long-running student-related crises that had defied solutions for years.

According to the Ministry of Education, 128 medical students of Ambrose Alli University who had been unable to undergo induction four years after graduation were eventually inducted following government intervention. The administration also resolved the case of 810 nursing graduates of the same institution who had faced similar delays.

In addition, more than 1,000 students with admission irregularities linked to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board were cleared for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps scheme after the state stepped in to engage relevant federal agencies.

Education policy experts note that while such issues are often administrative, their prolonged nature can derail careers and erode public confidence in state institutions. Addressing them, they argue, reflects a focus on governance details often overlooked.

Infrastructure upgrades and student welfare

Beyond classrooms and funding, the Okpebholo administration has invested in campus infrastructure and student welfare, areas that have traditionally lagged behind.

According to Iyamu, the government is constructing a 600-bed hostel at Ambrose Alli University and is also working on a two-in-one lecture theatre with a combined capacity of 500 seats. These projects are aimed at reducing accommodation shortages and overcrowding during lectures.

The administration has also partnered with the Niger Delta Development Commission to construct six kilometres of internal roads at the state-owned polytechnic in Usen, more than 23 years after the institution was established.

Meanwhile, bursary payments to students have been reintroduced after a 20-year gap, a move welcomed by students amid rising living costs. The state has also entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to ensure that no student in Edo-owned tertiary institutions is forced to drop out due to inability to pay school fees.

Digital reforms and global exposure

As part of efforts to modernise the sector, the state has digitised certificates across its schools, allowing graduates to access and verify their credentials from anywhere, according to the education commissioner.

The government has also signed international partnerships that have enabled teachers and students from Edo to travel abroad for training and academic exposure. While details of the agreements were not disclosed, officials say the goal is to raise teaching standards and global competitiveness.

Observers say these initiatives reflect a broader shift towards integrating technology and international best practices into state education systems, an area where many subnational governments are still struggling.

Why the award matters now

The recognition comes at a time when education financing is under pressure nationwide, with states grappling with limited revenues, rising population growth and growing demands for quality schooling. Analysts say Edo’s approach offers a case study in prioritisation, particularly the decision to channel significant resources into education early in the administration.

For New Telegraph, the award underscores the importance of measurable outcomes rather than policy announcements alone. According to the organisation, the focus was on tangible improvements and resolution of long-standing bottlenecks.

Iyamu described the award as well deserved, adding that it would motivate the governor to sustain the pace of reforms. “This recognition will spur the governor to do more. And more are still coming,” he said.

Stakeholders say the key test going forward will be sustainability. Maintaining increased subventions, completing ongoing projects and ensuring that new schools and teachers translate into improved learning outcomes will determine the long-term impact of the reforms.

Education experts also point to the need for transparent monitoring, especially in teacher deployment, infrastructure maintenance and digital systems management.

For now, Governor Okpebholo’s administration has positioned education at the centre of its development agenda, a strategy that has earned national recognition and set expectations for the years ahead.