In honor of his exceptional contributions to the transformation of Edo State’s education sector, the Leadership of Independent Newspapers has nominated His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, for the coveted Platinum Award as Education Ambassador.
Governor Okpebholo has made education a top priority since taking office because it is the cornerstone of sustainable development. In just eight months, his administration has built or rebuilt more than 65 public schools throughout the state and hired more than 600 new teachers in collaboration with Commissioner for Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu.
In a bold move that revitalized the university and ended long-standing crises, he also raised Ambrose Alli University’s (AAU), Ekpoma, subvention from ₦40 million to ₦500 million.
Governor Okpebholo also made it easier for more than 1,000 medical and nursing students who had been stuck for four years under the previous government to be reintegrated.
He also addressed the eight-year AAU JAMB regularization bottleneck, thereby enabling over 1,000 students to regularise their admissions and qualify for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The new minimum wage has been fully implemented with a 5,000 increment throughout the state education eco system, and the government is currently constructing a lecture theater with a 1,500 capacity and a hostel with a 600 capacity to further enhance the infrastructure for higher education.
After 23 years of its founding, his administration worked with the NDDC to assist the development of a 5 km internal road in Usen Polytechnic, which has helped the Polytechnic community.
Furthermore, no student in any Edo State tertiary institution is being returned home for fees in coordination with the Federal Government NELFUND initiative, making education essentially free.
In order to guarantee that every Edo child has access to high-quality, tuition-free education in a supportive setting, Governor Monday has fully implemented the legacy of free primary education and started the “Edu Rescue initiative,” which aims to get homeless children back to school where they belong.
Educert 2.0 was introduced in partnership with the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation with the goals of eradicating certificate fraud and guaranteeing the digitalization and authentication of all outcomes resulting from the digital public infrastructure.
This allows all students and guardians to print their certificates online for free.
According to Independent Newspapers, Governor Okpebholo’s investments, advocacy, and devotion to child education resonate across Nigeria, making him deserving of the Education Ambassador title.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Platinum Award event will take place at the Eko Hotels & Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos.
Professor Barth Nnaji will give a public lecture at the event, and Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe will receive posthumous legacy awards from President Bola Tinubu, the Distinguished Guest of Honor.
In fact, Senator Monday Okpebholo is bringing about change in a difficult environment by facilitating children’s aspirations and assisting parents in ending the cycle of poverty.
