By Patrick Akhere Ebojele, PhD
When Senator Monday Okpebholo took the oath of office as Governor of Edo State in November 2024, the education sector he inherited told a troubling story. Schools stood in disrepair, teachers were demoralized, classrooms were overcrowded, and tertiary institutions were weighed down by years of neglect. For many, the challenges seemed deeply entrenched. Yet, barely a year later, Edo’s education landscape is telling a remarkably different story one of renewal, ambition, and purposeful reform.
Today, Edo State is in the midst of one of its most significant education transformations in decades. This dramatic turnaround, driven by decisive leadership and strategic vision, has earned Governor Okpebholo the New Telegraph Award for Best in Education. More importantly, it has restored confidence among parents, teachers, students, and stakeholders who now see education once again treated as the backbone of development.
Central to this transformation is the governor’s SHINE Agenda, the policy compass guiding his administration. Under SHINE, education is not an afterthought or a routine social service; it is a strategic investment in human capital, economic growth, social stability, and long-term prosperity. The reforms unfolding across Edo State demonstrate that SHINE is not merely a slogan but a living framework translating vision into tangible outcomes.
From the outset, Governor Okpebholo made it clear that meaningful reform must begin with an honest assessment. A comprehensive audit of public schools across the state revealed the depth of decay—crumbling classrooms, leaking roofs, broken furniture, inadequate sanitation, and environments unfit for learning. Rather than dwell on the grim findings, the administration acted swiftly, setting the tone for an action-driven approach to governance.
Within his first 100 days, the governor launched an ambitious school rehabilitation programme that touched more than 100 schools. Classrooms were rebuilt, roofs replaced, water and sanitation facilities restored, and school grounds secured. These were not cosmetic fixes but deliberate efforts to restore dignity to public education and create safe, functional spaces where learning could thrive. As the months went by, the programme expanded, reaching rural and underserved communities across the state’s three senatorial districts. Science laboratories were refurbished, and digital tools gradually introduced, signaling a commitment to both equity and modernization.
Yet, the Okpebholo administration understood that buildings alone do not educate children. Teachers are the heartbeat of any education system, and restoring their confidence became a priority. Thousands of long-serving contract teachers were absorbed into permanent positions, ending years of uncertainty and irregular income. New teachers were recruited to reduce overcrowding and improve learning outcomes, while training programmes were introduced to sharpen skills and prepare educators for modern, technology-driven classrooms.
For many teachers, this shift marked a profound change. Stability replaced anxiety, and professional pride returned to the classroom. With improved welfare and capacity-building, educators became active partners in the reform process rather than silent victims of systemic neglect.
The governor’s attention extended beyond basic education to the troubled terrain of tertiary institutions. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, long plagued by underfunding, unpaid salaries, and unrest, became a focal point. In a bold and unprecedented move, the administration increased the university’s monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million. This single decision stabilized the institution, cleared salary backlogs, revived academic activities, and restored a sense of normalcy to campus life.
With renewed funding came renewed ambition. Plans were unveiled for a 1,500-seat lecture theatre and a 600-bed hostel to ease congestion and improve student welfare. Long-standing administrative delays that had trapped medical and nursing students in limbo were resolved, allowing hundreds of graduates to finally proceed to national service. For many families, this intervention ended years of frustration and uncertainty, reaffirming education as a pathway to opportunity rather than a dead end.
Modernization also became a defining feature of the reforms. The introduction of digital systems for student records, certificate verification, and academic documentation reduced bureaucracy and fraud while making Edo graduates more competitive globally. This quiet but critical shift positioned the state’s education system for relevance in an increasingly interconnected world.
Access and inclusion formed another pillar of the governor’s vision. Determined to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children, particularly in marginalized communities, the administration rolled out initiatives to bring learners back into classrooms. Free learning materials, community engagement, and strategic partnerships helped reduce dropout rates and expand enrollment. In higher education, collaboration with the Federal Government’s NELFund programme ensured that students were no longer sent home over unpaid fees, easing the burden on families and allowing young people to focus on learning rather than survival.
Cultural identity was not forgotten in this wave of reform. The reintroduction of indigenous Edo languages into school curricula reaffirmed the value of heritage, strengthened social cohesion, and enriched students’ learning experiences. At the same time, renewed focus on vocational and technical education ensured that learners pursuing non-traditional academic paths acquired practical, employable skills aligned with today’s labour market.
What ultimately distinguishes Governor Okpebholo’s education reforms is their coherence. Infrastructure development, teacher welfare, student access, tertiary revitalization, digital innovation, and cultural inclusion are woven into a single, unified vision: building an education system capable of producing confident, competent, and competitive citizens. It is this holistic approach that has drawn commendation from national leaders, education experts, and international partners alike.
Against this backdrop, the New Telegraph Best in Education Award stands as more than a ceremonial honour. It is recognition of visible, measurable change schools restored, teachers empowered, students re-engaged, and institutions stabilized. It is also an acknowledgment of leadership that understands education as the foundation upon which all other development rests.
In just over a year, Edo State has moved from stagnation to purposeful renewal. Unsafe schools have become functional learning spaces. Teachers once uncertain about their future now work with confidence and dignity. Students who faced exclusion have regained access to opportunity. Universities once on the brink are rediscovering stability and academic focus.
As Governor Monday Okpebholo prepares to receive this national honour, it serves as both recognition and responsibility. Education reform is a journey, not a destination. But if the pace and clarity of the past year are any guide, Edo State’s future under his leadership promises brighter minds, stronger institutions, and a generation better prepared to shape the future.
In a nation where education often competes for attention amid pressing challenges, Edo State is offering a powerful reminder: with focused leadership, political will, and strategic investment, transformation is not only possible—it is achievable. And that is why Governor Monday Okpebholo is being celebrated, not merely as a political leader, but as an education reformer reshaping lives and redefining the future of Edo State.
