Edo State Increases Minimum Wage to ₦75,000 as Governor Okpebholo Commits to Workers' Welfare

Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers in Edo State, a move aimed at boosting their standard of living.

The announcement was made during his May Day address at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on May 1st.

“Today, I’m pleased to let you know that we’ve approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for all Edo workers,” the governor said. “It’s our way of appreciating your hard work, and we hope this support helps improve your lives as we continue working together to move Edo forward.”

Governor Okpebholo highlighted that his administration has made worker welfare a priority since he took office. One of his first initiatives was to give job security to over 1,000 cleaners and other casual staff by bringing them into the main civil service structure.

He also mentioned hiring 500 new teachers to ease pressure in schools and announced ongoing efforts to transition more than 3,000 temporary teachers into permanent roles, recognizing their vital role in shaping the future of the state’s children.

In the healthcare sector, 450 clinical and non-clinical workers have been recruited to strengthen hospitals, and 126 contract staff at the Edo State Specialist Hospital have had their roles regularized to provide more job stability.

The governor also shared that his administration has paid off outstanding salaries owed to staff at Edo State Polytechnic, further showing a commitment to workers’ rights.

He noted progress in the judiciary too, with long-delayed judge appointments finally being formalized.

To top it off, the governor announced a new health insurance scheme for retired workers, saying, “Our duty to our workers doesn’t end when they retire. We want them to stay healthy and feel cared for, even after years of service.”