The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has authorised the payment of N4.6 billion in entitlement benefits to hundreds of staff disengaged under the previous state administration.
This decision directly affects former employees of two state colleges of education who lost their jobs during the tenure of former governor Godwin Obaseki.
The payment is designed to provide relief to 714 individuals, comprising 682 pensioners from the College of Education, Ekiadolor, and 32 pensioners from the College of Education, Igueben. The governor’s office has stated that this action reflects the current administration’s commitment to principles of fairness, justice, and the welfare of its workforce.
The total sum of N4.6 billion will be paid to the beneficiaries in four separate instalments. The first of these, amounting to N1,164,507,285.17, has now been successfully disbursed. The government has emphasised that this payment was made in strict compliance with Nigeria’s Pension Act, ensuring the process is transparent and lawful.
In a related development, demonstrating a broader commitment to resolving similar cases, Governor Okpebholo has also approved the immediate release of a further N292 million. This sum constitutes the second tranche of pension entitlements for disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture located in Iguoriakhi and Agenebode. Officials have confirmed that this payment is scheduled to be completed on or before Wednesday this week.
Combining these interventions, the Edo State Government has so far released a total of N1.4 billion to the four affected colleges. This substantial financial commitment is aimed at bringing long-awaited relief to hundreds of families across the state. The government says it reaffirms its resolve to prioritise the welfare of citizens who have dedicated years of service to Edo State’s development.
This initiative is presented as a key part of the Okpebholo administration’s ongoing reforms in the education sector. The government aims to reposition state-owned institutions while ensuring that individuals who were negatively impacted by previous disengagement exercises are not abandoned. A statement from the governor’s office described this payout as a reflection of Governor Okpebholo’s vision for a just and compassionate Edo State, where equity is a guiding principle of governance.
The Edo State Government has used this announcement to reassure all stakeholders, particularly retirees and disengaged staff from other state-owned institutions, that it is dedicated to seeing this process through. The government has pledged to continue until every legitimate entitlement is fully settled, signalling a continued focus on resolving inherited personnel disputes.
The announcement was formally made in a press release issued by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, dated Monday, 22 September 2025.
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