Ekpoma, Edo State – In less than a year, Governor Monday Okpebholo has transformed Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, from a crumbling institution on the brink of collapse into a revitalised centre of learning, earning him accolades from alumni, staff, and students alike.
When Okpebholo assumed office in November 2024, AAU’s condition was dire. Monthly subvention had dwindled to just ₦41 million, several core programmes had lost accreditation, staff had been laid off, and medical students were stranded without induction, some waiting over a decade to enter professional practice.
Determined to reverse the decline, the Governor took a decisive step in December 2024 by increasing the university’s monthly subvention to ₦500 million — a staggering 1,100% rise. This move cleared salary arrears, boosted staff morale, and halted the slide toward institutional bankruptcy. Wrongfully dismissed staff were reinstated, restoring both livelihoods and the university’s integrity.
His reforms extended beyond finances. In January 2025, Okpebholo intervened to secure long-overdue professional induction for 128 medical graduates, with an additional 39 cleared soon after — ending years of uncertainty for these professionals.
February brought a governance overhaul, with the inauguration of a new Governing Council led by Chief Dan Orbih. The council, composed of respected educationists and professionals, was tasked with restoring AAU’s academic prestige and ensuring sustainable reforms.
By July 2025, the Governor’s educational drive went international. Edo State secured a ₦1.2 billion grant from OPay Digital Services for indigent students at AAU and other tertiary institutions, facilitated through the SDGs Office — marking a significant boost to student support and academic development.
The results are already visible. Departments such as Nursing Sciences are regaining accreditation, research capabilities are being restored, and the campus atmosphere has shifted from despair to optimism.
In recognition of his efforts, the Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association honoured Governor Okpebholo with a Transformative Leadership Award — a testament to his impactful reforms.
“This is not politics; it is an investment in human capital,” Okpebholo declared. “Edo State will not rise above the quality of its education, and AAU will once again be a model of excellence.”
Today, AAU stands renewed — its confidence restored, its reputation rebuilt, and its students once again proud of the institution they call home. Governor Okpebholo’s leadership has shown that, with vision and decisive action, the journey from ruin to renaissance can be achieved within a single administration.
