Edo Govt Releases ₦4.6bn to Sacked College Workers

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the payment of ₦4.6 billion to workers and retirees of state-owned colleges who were dismissed during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said the governor has released the first tranche of the package to beneficiaries.

The payment covers 714 people, including 682 retirees from the College of Education, Ekiadolor, and 32 from the College of Education, Igueben. The government said the funds would be disbursed in four equal tranches of about ₦1.16 billion each, in line with the Pension Reform Act.

Itua said the payments were aimed at addressing the “controversial circumstances” under which the workers were removed, adding that the administration was committed to fairness, justice, and staff welfare.

Governor Okpebholo also approved ₦292 million as a second tranche for pension arrears of former staff of the Colleges of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi and Agenebode, noting that the payment would be made on or before Wednesday.

The government assured that no former worker affected by past layoffs would be left behind.