The Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB) will on Friday, March 6, 2026, officially flag off the maiden edition of the Senator Monday Okpebholo Education Talent Hunt Competition (Season One), an initiative aimed at identifying and rewarding academically outstanding secondary school students across the state.
The competition, which will involve SS3 students in public secondary schools across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, is designed to spotlight excellence in Science, Social Science, and Arts while encouraging stronger academic performance ahead of external examinations.
Executive Chairman of SSEB, Dr. Rita Otibho Erewele, described the programme as a major step toward strengthening academic culture in the state.
“This competition is designed to unlock the hidden academic potentials of our students and reward excellence. It also serves as motivation for students to intensify their preparations as they approach their external examinations,” she said.
According to the Board, shortlisted students will participate in a scholarship examination that will determine the most outstanding candidates across the three academic categories.
The best-performing students will receive fully funded scholarships to attend state-owned tertiary institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Edo State Polytechnic, and the Edo State College of Education.
Dr. Erewele noted that the initiative reflects the education-focused vision of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
“The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is strongly committed to promoting quality education and creating opportunities for young people to develop their talents. This programme is one of the ways the government is investing in the future of Edo State,” she stated.
The talent hunt competition is themed “Unlocking Potentials, Building a Better Edo,” a slogan the Board says highlights the government’s commitment to nurturing intellectual development and strengthening reading culture among students in public schools across the state.
