Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Edo workers, noting that a better welfare package is underway for workers in the state, as labour leaders meet with the government over the review of the pension scheme. The governor said this when he received executives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State chapter, led by its acting state chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Speaking during the meeting at Government House, Benin City, Okpebholo said his administration is responsible for whatever Edo State workers are enjoying because it is worker-friendly. “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers,” the governor stated.
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate. He said the visit was also to congratulate the governor on his victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja that affirmed his win in the September 21, 2024 governorship election. “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers,” Egwekhide said.
Egwekhide noted specific interventions by the administration, including the prompt disbursement of a 13th-month salary without union agitation, increased subvention to Ambrose Alli University from N41 million to N500 million, and the regularization of casual workers. He added: “You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion for both local and State pensioners.”
On the pension review, the acting NLC chairman disclosed that a committee had been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which he said had become a burden on retired civil servants. “A committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action,” Egwekhide said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service is said to have met with labour leaders to discuss outstanding issues affecting retired Permanent Secretaries under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Sources said the Head of Service assured them that government was working toward resolving the issue without a specific timeline given for when the outstanding shortfalls would be cleared or when the long-overdue memo would be forwarded for executive approval.
Governor Okpebholo has previously approved the payment of entitlements to staff of the Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Igueben who were disengaged by the past administration, with a total sum of ₦4.6 billion earmarked for settlement. He also approved the immediate release of ₦292 million as the second tranche of pension entitlements to disengaged staff members of the Colleges of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, and Agenebode.
In January 2026, the State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, conveyed the governor’s assurance during a high-level meeting with the Commissioner for Finance, the Accountant-General, and leaders of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP). Dr. Okungbowa emphasized that the governor views the welfare of retirees not as an act of charity, but as a debt of honor for their years of service to the state. The administration is sustaining a monthly release of ₦300 million dedicated solely to defraying gratuity backlogs dating back to 2012.
Labour representatives, while acknowledging ongoing engagement, have expressed concern about the absence of a clear implementation schedule for retired Permanent Secretaries, noting that prolonged uncertainty continues to place them under financial strain. Stakeholders are urging the Head of Service to urgently forward the long-overdue memo for the governor’s consideration, expressing confidence that once apprised of the situation, the governor will act swiftly in line with his administration’s record on prompt salary and pension payments.
