Honourable Ebanehita Sonia Omonzane may not be a familiar name in the wider Nigerian political arena, but within Edo State’s education sector, her emergence has been both timely and transformative. Since assuming office as Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), she has steadily carved a reputation as a reform-driven administrator with a clear sense of purpose.
Her appointment followed her redeployment from the State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), where she also served as chairman, a move approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo. She took over SUBEB at a delicate moment, when private consultants still largely controlled lesson content development and deployment in public primary and junior secondary schools across the state. For many stakeholders, it was a period that demanded firm leadership and decisive action.
From the outset, Omonzane signalled that her tenure would depart from the norm. In her maiden engagement with top management staff, she declared the beginning of what she described as “a new dawn in SUBEB,” pledging transformational leadership anchored on teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Rather than relying on assumptions, she immediately requested comprehensive briefs from the board secretary and directors of all departments, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making.
Within days, she demonstrated resolve by terminating existing contractual arrangements with private consultancy firms handling instructional content, a move that underscored her commitment to institutional capacity-building. Under her watch, SUBEB has since assumed full responsibility for instructional writing, lesson scripting and content deployment through its Schools Support Services Department, restoring confidence in the board’s internal expertise.
Beyond policy direction, her leadership has been marked by deliberate efforts to reposition SUBEB to better deliver on its statutory mandate of providing free, compulsory and quality basic education. Staff morale, long identified as a weak point in public institutions, has received renewed attention through improved welfare packages, incentives and a structured reward system. These measures have translated into higher productivity and renewed dedication among teaching and non-teaching staff.
Teacher recruitment has also featured prominently. The board has embarked on the massive recruitment of teachers into the public school system, while also regularising the employment status of former EdoStar scholars. Training and retraining programmes, coupled with regular promotions, have further strengthened capacity across the system.
Infrastructure development has not been left out. Schools across Edo State’s three senatorial districts have benefited from renovation and reconstruction projects, alongside the provision of furniture aimed at creating a more conducive learning environment. Complementing this is a more robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure quality teaching and learning, while reinforcing moral and ethical standards in schools.
The impact of these reforms has reflected in competitive outings beyond the state. Edo State recently emerged winner of the South-South zone of the National Reading Campaign organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with UBEC in Asaba, Delta State. In sports, the state clinched the Fairplay Trophy at the National Under-15 Girls Volleyball Competition hosted by the Federal Capital Territory, and also emerged overall champion after hosting the Basic Education School Sports Competition for the South-South zone.
While these milestones represent only a fraction of achievements recorded under her relatively short tenure, they point to a leadership style rooted in inclusion, collaboration and results. Education stakeholders increasingly attribute SUBEB’s renewed momentum to Omonzane’s ability to galvanise teams and align institutional goals with broader state policy objectives.
As the new year approaches, the Executive Chairman is focused on consolidating existing gains and pushing further reforms for the holistic development of basic education in Edo State. Her work is closely aligned with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE agenda, particularly its emphasis on human capital development and opportunities for the Edo child.
For many observers, her appointment stands as a fitting choice, placing experience and vision where they are most needed. At SUBEB, the refrain of “a new dawn” is no longer a slogan but an unfolding reality, as the board continues to strengthen the confidence reposed in it by government and the people of Edo State.
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Dr Austin Osegbe is the Director of Schools Support Services, SUBEB
