The Edo State Government has announced plans to recruit 3,000 additional teachers to strengthen manpower across public schools and enhance the state’s education system.
Governor Monday Okpebholo disclosed this on Wednesday through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education as the foundation of human development.
This announcement came a week after the governor presented appointment letters to 5,000 teachers, who had previously worked as contract staff earning ₦65,000 monthly under the former administration.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Government House, Okpebholo described the event as “a defining moment” for education in Edo State, stressing that teachers remain central to his development agenda.
In appreciation of his reforms, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) paid a courtesy visit to the governor on Tuesday, where they conferred on him a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.
Presenting the award, NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, praised the governor’s leadership, while the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Edo State Chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide, commended his people-focused policies.
Responding, Okpebholo announced that the government had concluded plans to employ 3,000 more teachers, saying the move aligns with ongoing efforts to rebuild and modernize the education system.
“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive environment,” the governor said.
He emphasized that his administration had ended the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes, noting that recent reforms have restored public confidence in public education.
Okpebholo also pledged to maintain a strong working relationship with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and announced plans to donate a bus to the NUT to aid its statewide operations.
In his remarks, Ajobiewe hailed the governor’s decision to regularize the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, describing it as a turning point for the profession.
“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has restored dignity to the teaching profession and rekindled hope in public education,” Ajobiewe said.
Similarly, NLC’s Egwahide commended Okpebholo’s leadership style, pledging continued support for his administration’s reforms.
Since taking office, Governor Okpebholo has introduced several bold reforms aimed at revitalizing the civil service. Under his leadership, the state ended outsourced cleaning contracts, directly employing 1,000 cleaners, and recruited 2,000 new staff across health, education, and agriculture, bringing the total number of new hires to over 3,000 in less than a year.
