Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman, Barrister Mrs. Onomen Briggs, joined the Nigeria Labour Congress march-past at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City today to salute Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo as part of the International Workers’ Day festivities. Her presence alongside labour leaders and frontline workers underscored SUBEB’s solidarity with all Edo State employees and the board’s commitment to advancing education sector welfare.
In his address to a packed stadium of public servants, the Governor announced a significant upward review of the minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 per month, a measure designed to relieve economic hardship and enhance the living standards of all state employees, including those serving under SUBEB.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that this wage increase represents more than mere figures; it is a tangible expression of gratitude to the dedicated men and women whose daily efforts sustain the progress of Edo State. He reiterated that his administration will continually explore avenues to strengthen worker welfare, noting that since taking office, it has regularized over one thousand casual cleaners and recruited five hundred additional teachers into the core civil service. These early interventions have provided much-needed job security and stability, underscoring the government’s resolve to reward dedication and foster a motivated civil service.
Highlighting the vital role 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. This review aims to identify eligible participants for conversion into full civil-service appointments, thereby recognizing their contributions and ensuring the continuity of quality teaching in basic education. Barrister Onomen Briggs affirmed that SUBEB will lead this process, 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.
Beyond the education sector, the administration has taken bold steps to fortify the state’s health and social services. Governor Okpebholo highlighted the recent recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for state hospitals, the regularization of 126 contract workers at the Edo State Specialist Hospital, and the clearance of longstanding salary arrears for Edo State Polytechnic staff. Retirees have also benefited, with the introduction of health-insurance coverage to ensure that former civil servants receive dignified care after years of service.
Attendance at the event featured high-ranking government officials and labour representatives, reflecting a unified commitment to worker welfare across all sectors. As SUBEB prepares to implement these new directives, the Board remains focused on fostering an enabling environment for teachers and support staff—ensuring that the foundation of Edo State’s basic education system remains strong, motivated, and well-rewarded.
