As Commissioner for Education under Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Paddy Iyamu worked with the governor, the Ministry of Education, education boards and development partners on school infrastructure, teacher employment, digital learning and opportunities for students.
Under Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration, the school infrastructure programme delivered construction and renovation work across 100 schools. As Commissioner for Education, Dr Iyamu worked within the administration to improve school facilities and the conditions in which children learn.
The administration brought 5,000 teachers into permanent government service, regularising the employment of teachers who had been working on contract and through community arrangements. Dr Iyamu worked with the governor and the education authorities on this transition, strengthening the public-school teaching workforce and improving employment security for teachers.
The Ministry of Education collaborated with Google on an advanced technology-skills programme for 800 students, with training in fields including data science, data analysis and artificial intelligence, preparing students for further opportunities in the digital economy.
Through the NEPL and Seplat Energy Joint Venture partnership, three additional Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics laboratories were inaugurated at Niger College, Army Day Secondary School and Oba Akenzua Secondary School in Benin City. Dr Iyamu represented Governor Monday Okpebholo at the inauguration.
A network of internal roads was built at the polytechnic, addressing a longstanding need 23 years after the institution was established. The project was delivered through collaboration between Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration and the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Education collaboration with the Chinese government and partner institutions also created exchange opportunities. Five polytechnic students travelled to China to further their education.
Textbook reuse. A policy now allows younger siblings to use approved textbooks previously purchased for older ones, removing unnecessary restrictions and helping families avoid repeated purchases.
Graduation celebrations. Guidelines restrict graduation ceremonies to designated completion stages and require modest celebrations, to reduce avoidable financial pressure on families.
Learning Management System. The ministry introduced a platform that brings together learning materials, professional-development courses and ministry communication, with downloadable resources for offline learning.
EdoCert 2.0. Launched in February 2025, it gives families digital access to school certificates and report cards, building on the existing EdoCert platform. Dr Iyamu took part in the launch.
Teacher information. Headteachers, principals and school inspectors in all three senatorial districts were trained on the Teacher Management Information System, covering teacher records and deployment.
Edu Rescue. During Dr Iyamu's tenure, the programme distributed textbooks, school bags and learning materials to children as part of the work to bring more of them into school.
Nursing inductions. He represented the state government in negotiations with Ambrose Alli University and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria over delayed professional inductions. The university subsequently completed nursing inductions and medical oath-taking ceremonies.
Dr Iyamu was appointed Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board in November 2024, and moved to the Ministry of Education as Commissioner in January 2025.
