Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has increased the minimum wage for workers in the state from N70,000 to N75,000. He made the announcement during the May Day celebration at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. The move, he said, was aimed at boosting the standard of living of workers and showing appreciation for their contributions to the state’s growth.
While addressing workers, the governor said his administration would continue to find new ways to enhance the welfare of civil servants in Edo State. “Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for all Edo workers,” he stated. “It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this makes a real difference, and we count on your dedication to a better Edo.”
He noted that workers’ welfare had been one of his administration’s top priorities since taking office. One of the initial steps taken, he recalled, was the conversion of over 1,000 casual workers, including cleaners, into permanent staff in the civil service. According to him, this was part of a broader effort to strengthen the public workforce and improve job security.
The governor also revealed that 500 new teachers had been employed, and his team was currently reviewing the status of more than 3,000 casual teachers with the aim of regularising their employment. In the health sector, the state government approved the hiring of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for various hospitals, while also regularising the appointments of 126 contract workers at the Edo State Specialist Hospital to promote long-term stability and effective service delivery.
In the education sector, Okpebholo said that salary arrears owed to staff of Edo Polytechnic had been cleared. He also addressed the judiciary, explaining that judges who had experienced delays in their appointments had now been sworn in and were fully operational.
“To prove our commitment, we approved health insurance for retirees because we believe support must continue after workers leave active service,” the governor said. He stressed that the government remained committed to timely salary and pension payments, structured recruitment processes, and the professional development of workers.
“As we celebrate today, I join President Tinubu and fellow governors in wishing Nigerian workers a peaceful, fulfilling celebration. Your efforts build our nation daily,” he concluded.
Comrade Bernard Egwekhide, Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Edo chapter, praised the governor for implementing policies that alleviate the burdens faced by workers and pensioners. He added that the May Day theme, “Reclaiming the Civil Space Amid Economic Hardship,” reflects the reality faced by Nigerian workers.
