In a strong show of support, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Edo State chapter has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for raising the minimum wage for Edo State civil servants from N70,000 to N75,000. The announcement, which came during the 2025 May Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, has been widely hailed as a bold response to the rising economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers.
Acting NLC Chairman, Bernard Egwekhide, praised Edo Governor Okpebholo’s leadership and dedication to workers’ welfare, describing his six-month administration as one that has “exceeded expectations.”
“You have taken the welfare of Edo workers seriously and embarked on interventions that to a great extent enabled workers in the State to enjoy their civil rights,” Egwekhide noted. He also commended the administration’s attention to inclusive governance and fair treatment of workers across sectors.
Governor Okpebholo, while addressing thousands of civil servants at the event, stated that the N75,000 Edo minimum wage was a gesture of appreciation and a step toward cushioning the effects of inflation and harsh economic conditions on the workforce.
“This is our way of saying thank you to Edo workers,” Okpebholo said. “We believe this will make a real difference in their lives. In return, we ask for renewed commitment as we work together to build a better Edo.”
The governor’s wage review positions Edo as one of the highest-paying states in Nigeria, and labour stakeholders believe this could influence similar moves in other parts of the country.
Beyond salary adjustments, Governor Okpebholo unveiled a range of initiatives targeted at improving employment, job security, and social protection for workers across multiple sectors. These include the full absorption of over 1,000 casual workers into the core civil service, the recruitment of 500 new teachers, and the review of employment status for over 3,000 casual teachers with a view toward permanent employment.
In the health sector, the governor revealed that the state government approved the recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical workers while regularizing the appointments of 126 contract staff at the Edo State Specialist Hospital. These efforts, according to Okpebholo, are aimed at not only boosting healthcare delivery but also ensuring job security for health professionals.
The governor further announced that salary arrears owed to staff of the Edo State Polytechnic have been cleared, while judicial appointments previously delayed have been regularized. In a significant move, Okpebholo also approved health insurance coverage for retirees, stressing that the state’s responsibility to its workers should not end upon retirement.
“These actions reflect our values of fairness, dignity, and gratitude toward those who have served and continue to serve our great state,” he added.
The May Day event was attended by key political and labour leaders, including Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Head of Service Anthony Okungbowa, and APC State Chairman Jaret Tenebe, among others.
Labour unions across the state have called on other state governments to emulate Edo’s approach in improving worker welfare amid the rising cost of living nationwide. The theme of the 2025 celebration, “Reclaiming the Civil Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” resonated with workers and public servants, who described the state government’s move as timely and motivational.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prompt salary and pension payments, continued investments in civil service reforms, and fostering a public service built on professionalism, efficiency, and equity.
As economic uncertainty looms and inflation pressures continue to mount, Edo’s proactive wage adjustment has re-energized calls for a national review of the minimum wage. Many observers view Okpebholo’s policies as setting a new benchmark for labour relations in Nigeria’s evolving economic climate.