Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has rolled out a sweeping roadmap to overhaul the education sector, signaling his administration’s commitment to delivering quality, inclusive, and future-ready learning for every child.
The reforms, driven by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, are designed as a holistic strategy to rebuild education as the bedrock of Edo’s long-term development.
Governor Okpebholo’s agenda is tackling decades of decay through bold interventions: dilapidated schools are being rebuilt into modern learning centres equipped with STEM labs, functional classrooms, sanitation facilities, and teaching aids.
Through the “EduRescue Initiative,” out-of-school children are being reintegrated, with free books and learning materials provided to ensure equity.
Empowering Teachers
Recognizing teachers as the engine of educational excellence, the government is prioritizing recruitment, continuous training, and digital empowerment. With tablets and standardized lesson scripts now deployed across classrooms, educators are delivering uniform, high-quality instruction statewide.
“No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” Dr. Iyamu noted. “That is why we are investing in them like never before.”
Skills for the Future
The reforms also bridge academics and vocational training. From now on, every junior secondary school graduate will leave with a trade certification, equipping them with employable skills alongside traditional learning. Technical colleges in Igarra, Irrua, and Benin are being revitalized, while a new National College is underway in Ovia to boost vocational education.
Restoring Integrity
To restore credibility, the government is clamping down on unregulated “miracle centres” and substandard schools, while collaborating with WAEC and NECO to curb examination malpractice. Parents are regaining trust in public schools, assured of credible and competitive learning standards.
Higher Education Renewal
The higher institutions are not left out. At Ambrose Alli University, two 1,500-capacity lecture theatres and a 600-bed hostel are under construction. At Usen Polytechnic, a 5km road abandoned for over two decades is nearing completion. EdoCert 2.0 has also digitized academic records, allowing students to securely access certificates online, ending years of bureaucratic delays.
Inclusivity and Student Support
A bursary scheme for indigent students and adoption of the Federal Government’s NELFund programme are ensuring that financial hardship no longer denies access to education. Civic education, counselling, moral reorientation, and sports development—through competitions such as the Principals’ Cup and Governor’s Cup—are also being revived to instill discipline, teamwork, and leadership.
Summarizing the vision, Dr. Iyamu said:
“Our long-term ambition is for Edo to be the national model of education reform. We want children here not just to be literate but to be globally competitive, entrepreneurial, and future-ready.”ood system reforms.
