The Edo State Government says it has employed more than 8,000 civil and public servants within one year and significantly improved workers’ salaries and welfare under the administration of Gov. Monday Okpebholo.
The Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the administration’s one-year performance, describing the scale of recruitment and salary reforms as unprecedented in the state’s history.
Mr. Okungbowa said workers’ welfare has been a major focus of the government, noting that salaries are now paid regularly and without delay. He added that employees also benefit from the payment of a 13th-month salary and the implementation of a new minimum wage.
According to him, the governor approved an upward review of the minimum wage on May 1, 2025, raising it to ₦75,000 without pressure from labour unions.
“The governor pays salaries regularly and embraces pragmatic governance. He increased the minimum wage on May 1, 2025, without any pressure from Edo workers,” he said.
The Head of Service also disclosed that the administration ended the outsourcing of cleaners, a decision he said has significantly improved their earnings and job security.
“Instead of paying consultants, the governor directed that the funds be used to employ cleaners directly. About 1,000 cleaners are now on full-time employment, earning ₦75,000 monthly, compared with the ₦18,000 to ₦25,000 they earned previously,” Mr. Okungbowa said.
He added that the administration carried out large-scale recruitment across key sectors, with more than 2,000 workers employed in the health sector and over 6,000 in the education sector, bringing total employment to more than 8,000 workers within one year.
Beyond recruitment, Mr. Okungbowa said the government has addressed long-standing salary and pension challenges, including the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to staff of the Edo Broadcasting Service and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
He said pension payments are now made promptly, while death benefits are released swiftly to the families of deceased workers.
According to him, the administration released ₦4.6 billion for the payment of pension entitlements to 714 disengaged staff of the Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Igueben, approved ₦1.168 billion as a first-tranche payment to address long-standing salary arrears at Ekiadolor, and disbursed ₦292 million as a second-tranche payment for disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture in Agenebode and Iguoriakhi.
Mr. Okungbowa said the administration’s approach is aimed at strengthening the civil service, improving productivity, and ensuring that workers are better protected against economic hardship.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining regular salary payments, job creation, and improved welfare for workers in Edo State.
The Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the administration’s one-year performance, describing the scale of recruitment and salary reforms as unprecedented in the state’s history.
Mr. Okungbowa said workers’ welfare has been a major focus of the government, noting that salaries are now paid regularly and without delay. He added that employees also benefit from the payment of a 13th-month salary and the implementation of a new minimum wage.
According to him, the governor approved an upward review of the minimum wage on May 1, 2025, raising it to ₦75,000 without pressure from labour unions.
“The governor pays salaries regularly and embraces pragmatic governance. He increased the minimum wage on May 1, 2025, without any pressure from Edo workers,” he said.
The Head of Service also disclosed that the administration ended the outsourcing of cleaners, a decision he said has significantly improved their earnings and job security.
“Instead of paying consultants, the governor directed that the funds be used to employ cleaners directly. About 1,000 cleaners are now on full-time employment, earning ₦75,000 monthly, compared with the ₦18,000 to ₦25,000 they earned previously,” Mr. Okungbowa said.
He added that the administration carried out large-scale recruitment across key sectors, with more than 2,000 workers employed in the health sector and over 6,000 in the education sector, bringing total employment to more than 8,000 workers within one year.
Beyond recruitment, Mr. Okungbowa said the government has addressed long-standing salary and pension challenges, including the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to staff of the Edo Broadcasting Service and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
He said pension payments are now made promptly, while death benefits are released swiftly to the families of deceased workers.
According to him, the administration released ₦4.6 billion for the payment of pension entitlements to 714 disengaged staff of the Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Igueben, approved ₦1.168 billion as a first-tranche payment to address long-standing salary arrears at Ekiadolor, and disbursed ₦292 million as a second-tranche payment for disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture in Agenebode and Iguoriakhi.
Mr. Okungbowa said the administration’s approach is aimed at strengthening the civil service, improving productivity, and ensuring that workers are better protected against economic hardship.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining regular salary payments, job creation, and improved welfare for workers in Edo State.
