The administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo has prioritised education as a key pillar of its development agenda, using the SHINE framework to drive reforms aimed at long-term growth and impact in the sector.
With a focus on the role of education in societal progress, the governor has repeatedly stressed the importance of collective investment by parents, guardians, and government in preparing young people for future challenges.
Within a year in office, the administration has introduced measures to strengthen the sector, including improved welfare for teachers through consistent salary payments, promotions, and capacity-building programmes designed to enhance teaching quality across the state.
The efforts have earned recognition, including the 2025 Governor of the Year Award in Education by the New Telegraph Newspaper, reflecting the administration’s push toward human capital development.
Reaffirming his stance, Governor Okpebholo stated:
“This is a promise made and a promise kept. Education remains the bedrock of every society, and we are committed to providing our children with a safe, modern, and enabling environment to learn, grow, and lead.”
To support reforms, the government appointed experienced professionals such as former Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, and the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Dr. Rita Otibho Erewele, alongside other qualified individuals.
A major initiative introduced under the administration is the Education Talent Hunt Programme, led by the SSEB under Dr. Erewele.
The programme is designed to identify and support academically outstanding students across the state as a long-term investment in education.
Following its presentation, Governor Okpebholo approved full government sponsorship, leading to the creation of the Senator Monday Okpebholo Education Talent Hunt Competition.
The competition targets Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) students in public schools across the 18 local government areas and is structured in three stages to assess performance in science, social sciences, and the arts.
At the end of the process, 918 students will qualify from the first stage, 162 from the second stage, and 54 students from the final stage. These top performers will receive fully funded tertiary education sponsored by the Edo State Government.
Beneficiaries will have the opportunity to study in state-owned institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Edo State University, Iyamho-Uzairue; Edo State Polytechnic, Usen; and Colleges of Education in Igueben, Afuze, and Abudu.
To ensure accountability, the SSEB set up a seven-member committee chaired by Dr. (Mrs) Umumetu Momoh to oversee the programme’s implementation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Erewele described the initiative as a platform to promote academic excellence and create opportunities for talented students to reach their full potential.
She noted that motivation plays a critical role in academic performance, adding that the programme is structured to inspire students and prepare them for external examinations through scholarship-based assessments.
According to her, the initiative will not only reward excellence but also strengthen Edo State’s academic standing while contributing to overall development.
The then Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Edith Ebonwonyi, described the initiative as timely, noting that education goes beyond classroom instruction to include talent discovery and development.
Similarly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), commended the programme as a strategic investment in the future of students and a reflection of the administration’s commitment to sustainable development.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, highlighted the governor’s focus on education, stating that the initiative is helping to reshape the sector. He urged members of the committee to carry out their duties with fairness and integrity.
In her acceptance speech, the committee chairman, Dr. Umumetu Momoh, expressed appreciation for the trust placed in the committee and assured that its work would be carried out transparently. She emphasised that only qualified students would benefit from the programme.
She added that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to support education and would be implemented on a merit-based and inclusive basis.
Overall, the Education Talent Hunt Programme represents a significant step toward promoting academic excellence, expanding access to higher education, and securing better opportunities for students across Edo State.
