Ministry of Education - Edo State

17/09/2026

Commissioner for Education Pledges collaboration with AFED...

16/09/2026

Commissioner for Education Visit Schools in Edo Central to Monitor Compliance for School Resumption.

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, on Wednesday, led an inspection tour across the Edo Central Senatorial District to assess the level of compliance by teachers, pupils, and parents following the resumption of the new academic session on 14th September, 2026.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere, and the Director of Higher Education, Mr. Peter Omionawele. Schools visited include Ujemen Primary School, Central Primary School, and Abia Primary School, all in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

On arrival at each school, the Commissioner was warmly received by the school management. Pupils were conducted in an orderly manner and greeted the Commissioner with a super hero clap, and the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, with a love clap.

The Commissioner asked the pupils if they knew the name of the Governor of Edo State, and they chorused, "Monday Okpebholo." He told them that the Governor sent his greetings and loves them all. He admonished the teachers to handle their duties diligently.

At Abia Primary School, Iruekpen, Mrs. Esekhaigbe Cecilia, who received the Commissioner on behalf of the headteacher, informed him that teaching and learning activities have already commenced. She thanked the Commissioner for the visit.

After the inspection, the Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance observed. He urged teachers to be at their best, bearing in mind that they are training the next generation of leaders. He also asked the pupils to inform their colleagues who are yet to resume that schools have resumed and they should return to school.

He reaffirmed that the Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains committed to the welfare of both learners and teachers, and to ensuring that schools across the state are adequately taken care of.

The Permanent Secretary, Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere, and the Director, Higher Education, Mr. Peter Omionawele, were present during the tour.

Osobase A. Oseremen
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Education
Edo State

16/09/2026

16/09/2026

Commissioner for Education pays Familiarization visit to AAU

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, on Wednesday, paid a familiarization visit to Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, in an official working visit to the state-owned institution.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere, and the Director of Higher Education, Mr. Peter Omionawele.

On arrival, he was given a rousing welcome by the management team of the institution led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, and members of the Students' Union Government (SUG).

After the reception, the Commissioner signed the condolence register for the late Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, who passed away on August 31st, 2025. He was thereafter led to the Vice-Chancellor's office for the business of the day.

In her welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, said, "Welcome back home." She thanked God for journey mercies and stated, "We are delighted to have you on a tour of the University." She noted that it was better for the Commissioner to see things for himself rather than sending a representative, describing him as "our own." She prayed for God's guidance for the Commissioner to lead the education sector in the right direction.

The President of the Students' Union Government, Comrade Future Isabu, also welcomed the Commissioner and thanked him for his efforts towards the development of the University. He requested the honour of paying a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in his office in Benin, a request which was graciously granted.

In his response, the Commissioner, Dr. Washington Osifo, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the management team. He said, "It is good to be home."

He expressed gratitude to the institution for the labour invested in his life that made him worthy in character and learning as an alumnus of the University. He promised to ensure that the institution receives the necessary support from the government. He appealed for a cordial relationship among all parties to bring progress to the institution, noting that where there is peace, the Governor will be happy to do more to bring development to the University.

The Commissioner was thereafter decorated in Esan traditional attire by the University management in grand style.

He was then led on a facility tour by the Vice-Chancellor and her management team. The first port of call was the Faculty of Agriculture, where he was warmly received by staff. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Gladys Otasowe Igene, thanked him for the visit and highlighted their challenges, including staff recruitment, funding, and a request for free tuition for students in the Faculty.

In the same vein, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ufua Emmanuel, requested additional buildings for the department and more staff to be able to cater to the needs of the students.

The entourage thereafter moved to the Faculty of Law, where he met students writing their examinations. He also visited the Faculty of Law Library and bemoaned the state of infrastructural facilities. He was led round some ongoing hostel projects in the school.

The tour climaxed at the College of Medicine, where the Honourable commissioner along the vice Chancellor and her management team was received by the Dean, Prof. H.O. Otamere. The Commissioner again expressed concern over the infrastructural deficit observed.

After the tour, the Commissioner said he was impressed with the commitment of staff and students despite the challenges. He assured that he would report his observations to the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, who mandated him to embark on the visit. He expressed hope that respite will come to the institution soon.

Dignitaries present during the visit included Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Prof. Eunice Omonzejie, Vice Chancellor AAU; Prof. A.O. Eromosele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration); Prof. Osagie Eghator, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Mrs. Oluwayomi Agbebaku, Registrar; Dr. Taiwo Agbaje, Bursar; and Mr. Peter Omionawele, Director, Higher Education, among others.

Osobase A. Oseremen
Public Relations Officer,
Ministry of Education

15/09/2026

Commissioner for Education Pledges Collaboration with UBTH Management

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, to fight the menace of substance abuse

Dr. Osifo made the pledge on Tuesday while receiving the UBTH management team, led by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. (Mrs.) Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Education in Benin City.

In her remarks, Prof. Ize-Iyamu, speaking on behalf of the management, congratulated the Commissioner on his reappointment by the State Governor.
“We are proud of your achievements. We are here as a team to wish you well,” she said.

Giving a brief on the hospital, she noted that UBTH is the largest teaching hospital in the South-South region of the country and is equipped with a specialized team working round the clock to meet the health needs of Nigerians.

She said the purpose of the visit was to seek partnership with the Ministry of Education on strategies to address the rising cases of drug abuse among young people, especially in schools.
“We want to collaborate on early testing and detection, so that through proper diagnosis and counselling we can provide a way out. The aim is not to stigmatize individuals, but to find solutions early,” she stated.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu added that the initiative aligns with a national policy and that Edo State has been chosen as the first pilot state for implementation.

Also speaking, Prof. (Mrs.) Ehizele Adebola, Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, DCMAC, Research and Ethics, said statistics show that substance abuse in Edo is among the highest in the country. She explained that the screening would be done using urine samples and subsequently presented a proposal to the Commissioner.

Responding, Dr. Osifo thanked the UBTH team for their immense contributions to the health sector in Nigeria. He also congratulated Prof. Ize-Iyamu on her emergence as the first female Chief Medical Director of UBTH.

“This is one of the most significant visits since I assumed office because it brings both the problem and the solution. This is a noble cause. Drug abuse is a menace to society and this fight ought to have started yesterday,” he said.

The Commissioner commended UBTH for championing the initiative and pledged the Ministry’s full support to ensure its success. He disclosed that he would study the proposal and take necessary steps, including seeking a state legislative bill to make drug testing compulsory for every student before gaining admission into any learning institution in the state.

The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to the Commissioner by the Chief Medical Director.

Also present at the meeting were Dr. Emmanuel Osaigbovo, CMAC; Mr. Jim Uwadiale, Director of Administration; Mrs. Grace Areghan, Director of Nursing Services; and other senior officials of UBTH.

Osobase A Oseremen
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Education.

14/09/2026

Edo Commissioner for Education Inspects Schools on First Day of Resumption

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, on Monday led a tour of schools within the Benin metropolis to assess the level of compliance by teachers, pupils, students, and parents at the commencement of the new academic session.

He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere; Directors of the Ministry; Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs); other senior officials of the Ministry; and members of the press.

The inspection covered schools in three Local Government Areas: Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha.
The schools visited were Emotan College, Ihogbe Secondary School, Evbareke Secondary School, Olua Primary School, and St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School.

On arrival at each school, the Commissioner was received by the Principals and teachers, who were found at their duty posts. The school environments were observed to be neat, orderly, and conducive for learning. Students and pupils were also seen seated in their classrooms receiving lessons.

At Olua Primary School, the Commissioner was warmly welcomed by students of Evbareke Junior Secondary School, who are temporarily learning on the premises due to ongoing renovation at their own school. The students chanted his name: “Osifo, Osifo, Osifo.”

In appreciation, the Commissioner embraced and greeted them. He then called on one of the pupils, Miss Aguna Deborah, who had correctly called out his name, to make a request. She requested a school bag, which the Commissioner graciously presented to her on the spot.

The tour also had in attendance Mr. Joseph Aguele, popularly known as Don-General of Independent Television and Radio (ITV), who joined the team to provide coverage and raise public awareness of the exercise.

After the inspection, the Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance observed. He urged teachers to be deliberate in teaching good morals and in instilling worthy character in pupils and students alongside academic instruction.

He reaffirmed that the Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains committed to the welfare of both learners and teachers, and to ensuring that schools across the state are adequately supported.

The Principals and teachers of all the schools visited expressed delight at the visit.
At St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, the Principal, Mrs. Abu Osagie, who took the Commissioner round the classes, thanked him and his team. She assured him that the teachers are fully prepared to deliver quality teaching to the students.

Present at the visit were: Sir Enodolomwanyi Otamere, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Directors of the Ministry, Chief Inspectors of Education and
Senior Officers of the Ministry

Osobase A. Oseremen
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Education

10/09/2026

Edo Commissioner for Education pledges stronger Collaboration with ASUP, Usen Chapter

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Washington Osifo, has reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Usen Chapter, in the interest of staff welfare and the development of education in the State.

Dr. Osifo made this pledge on Tuesday while receiving members of ASUP, Usen Chapter, led by Comrade Aghahowa Andrew on a courtesy visit to his office at the Ministry of Education in Benin City.

In his remarks, the Chairman of ASUP, Usen Chapter, Comrade Aghahowa Andrew, said he led his executives on the visit to congratulate the Commissioner on his reappointment by the Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo.

"We have been following your track record of development strides," Comrade Aghahowa said. "As a Union, we are ready to work with you to move polytechnic education forward in Edo State."

He also presented some of the Union's challenges to the Commissioner. Key among them, he noted, was the lack of staff accommodation at the institution, which affects staff retention. He further appealed to the Commissioner to assist the Chapter in being captured under the new salary structure applicable in other institution.

In his response, the Honourable Commissioner thanked the Union for the visit and appreciated the gesture. He assured them that the government of Senator Monday Okpebholo is committed to helping the institution grow.

He recalled that about thirteen years ago he facilitated some TETFund projects to the school, and pledged to do even more this time around.
"By the grace of God, we will do more for the institution," Dr. Osifo said. He urged the academic staff to continue with their good work and remain committed to service.

The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of a congratulatory photo album to the Commissioner.

Also present at the meeting were: Dr. Ekohomun Matthew, Ex-Officio; Comrade Ayeni E. Bosede, Treasurer; and Comrade Ikeke Kingsley, Welfare Officer.

Osobase A. Oseremen
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Education.