BENIN CITY, Edo State, October 18, 2026 – The Edo State Government has terminated the appointment of Aigbodion Ewanifo Smart as Acting Managing Director of New Edo Line Limited, citing managerial inefficiency, and appointed Engineer Paul F. Ogedegbe as his replacement.
The decisions were approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo and announced in a government statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq. Both the termination and the new appointment take immediate effect.
The government did not provide further details in the announcement explaining the specific management shortcomings that led to Smart’s removal.
Smart’s departure marks another leadership change at the state-owned transport company under the Okpebholo administration. In January 2026, the governor had terminated the appointment of Tinyan Otuomagie as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Edo Line Transport Services Limited, subsequently appointing Smart, who was then the company’s General Manager for Maintenance, as Acting Managing Director pending the selection of a substantive replacement.
At the time, the state government said the leadership change was intended to support improved accountability, operational efficiency and service delivery at the transport company.
The latest appointment places Ogedegbe at the helm of the company as the government seeks to manage its operations and fulfil its public transportation responsibilities.
New Edo Line plays a role in providing road transport services to residents and travellers within Edo State and beyond. Its performance has implications for passenger safety, service reliability, operational costs and public confidence in the state’s transport services.
The government has not yet released detailed information about Ogedegbe’s professional background, his immediate priorities or any specific targets he is expected to meet in the new position.
Attention will now focus on whether the new management can improve the company’s operational performance, maintain its vehicles, strengthen accountability and provide reliable services to commuters.
The appointment takes effect immediately, according to the government announcement.
