The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, has disclosed that more than 8,000 civil and public servants have been employed within one year under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing the feat as unprecedented in the state’s history.

Dr. Okungbowa made this known while briefing journalists on the achievements of Governor Okpebholo’s one year in office, highlighting workers’ welfare and civil service reforms as major pillars of the administration.

Commending the Governor for what he described as practical, people-centred, and inclusive governance, the Head of Service said the policies of the Okpebholo administration have significantly improved the living standards of Edo people, particularly civil and public servants.

According to him, since Governor Okpebholo was sworn in on November 12, 2024, Edo State has witnessed remarkable transformation across sectors through the effective implementation of the SHINE Agenda, with projects and reforms spread across the state’s 18 local government areas.

“Mr Governor has recorded many achievements across various sectors of the state, but his impact on the civil and public service has been outstanding and phenomenal,” Dr. Okungbowa said.

“This administration came on board and hit the ground running. There was a clear determination to drive development and improve the lives of Edo people, especially civil and public servants.”

He noted that one of the early decisions of the Governor was to strengthen the civil service by ensuring that its core responsibilities are handled by career officers rather than consultants.

“From November 12, the Governor began working assiduously to raise standards, insisting that the work of civil and public servants must be done by them and not outsourced to consultants,” he said.

Dr. Okungbowa explained that workers’ welfare remains a top priority, with the Governor ensuring regular payment of salaries, payment of 13th-month salaries, and the implementation of a new minimum wage.

“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 stated.

The Head of Service also disclosed that the Governor ended the outsourcing of cleaners, directing that funds previously paid to consultants be used to employ workers directly.

“Cleaners were outsourced and managed by consultants, but the Governor insisted that the money used for outsourcing was sufficient to employ 1,000 cleaners directly into the service,” he said.

“Today, they are employed on a full-time basis on the new minimum wage of ₦75,000, as against the previous ₦18,000 to ₦25,000, and their jobs are now secured.”

Dr. Okungbowa further revealed that the administration has carried out massive recruitment across key sectors of the state economy.

“In the health sector, over 2,000 workers have been employed, while the teaching sector has absorbed more than 6,000 new staff,” he said, adding that recruitments across MDAs bring the total number of jobs created to over 8,000 within one year.

“I don’t think any government has done that in Edo State,” he added.

He noted that staff welfare continues to receive priority attention, including prompt payment of pensions, quick disbursement of death benefits to families of deceased workers, and scholarships for their children.

The Head of Service also highlighted the First-Class Graduate Scheme, under which first-class graduates of Edo origin are offered automatic employment, sponsored for master’s degree programmes at the expense of the state government, and paid stipends throughout the programme.

On tertiary education, Dr. Okungbowa said the Governor reinstated disengaged staff of Ambrose Alli University and significantly increased funding to state-owned universities.

“AAU’s monthly subvention was increased from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, while Edo State University, Iyamho, was increased from ₦100 million to ₦250 million,” he disclosed.

He added that 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 first-tranche payment to address long-standing salary arrears at Ekiadolor, and disbursed ₦292 million as second-tranche payment for disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture in Agenebode and Iguoriakhi.

According to him, outstanding salary arrears owed to staff of Edo Broadcasting Service and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, have also been fully paid.

Dr. Okungbowa noted that within the one-year period under review, the Governor created new MDAs and commissions, reconstituted the Civil Service Commission, constructed doctors’ residences, revamped facilities at Ezoti, employed a visually impaired lawyer, introduced discipline-specific training under the JOOPSA programme, and deployed a new e-governance platform to enhance efficiency and transparency.

He concluded by reaffirming the Governor’s commitment to improving the lives of Edo people.

“The Governor has made it clear that he is in government to make life better for Edo people, and he will continue to formulate and implement people-friendly policies to ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered through practical governance,” Dr. Okungbowa said.