Benin City, the capital of Edo State, has secured a $1 million global innovation prize in the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge, emerging among the top cities selected from over 600 entries worldwide.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Patrick Akhere.
According to the statement, only 25 cities from 20 countries made the final list, with Benin City ranking among four African cities recognised in the global competition.
The state government noted that the award reflects the city’s ability to develop innovative and practical solutions to pressing public challenges, particularly in the area of healthcare delivery.
Governor Monday Okpebholo described the recognition as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to innovation and its efforts to strengthen healthcare systems across Edo State.
“This recognition is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of our team to transform healthcare delivery in Edo State. It reinforces that bold ideas from Benin City can compete,and win, on the global stage,” Okpebholo said.
The governor congratulated the Edo State Ministry of Health and the team behind the initiative, noting that the award demonstrates the state’s growing reputation as a hub for forward-thinking governance and impactful public sector reforms.
“Congratulations to my hardworking team and to the great people of Edo State. The world is watching, and we are just getting started,” he added.
The Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge is widely regarded as one of the most competitive global platforms where cities present innovative solutions to urban challenges. Cities selected through the programme receive funding and technical support to implement transformative ideas.
