By Abubakar Yunusa
The South East Renewed Hope Agenda on Tuesday launched a free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration exercise for 10,000 students in Ebonyi State, describing the initiative as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader youth empowerment and education reform drive.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the National Coordinator of the group, Hon. Belusochukwu M. Enwere, said the programme was designed to remove financial barriers preventing students from accessing tertiary education.
According to Enwere, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said prioritizes youth empowerment, educational advancement and inclusive national development.
“Today is not just about registration for an examination. It is about unlocking doors of opportunity. It is about investing in the future and empowering a generation that will shape the destiny of our state and our nation,” he said.
Enwere noted that education remains a critical tool for national transformation, arguing that accessible and quality learning opportunities are central to Nigeria’s long-term development goals.
He maintained that the free registration scheme demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no qualified student is denied the opportunity to sit for JAMB due to financial constraints.
The South East coordinator also referenced recent federal interventions in the education sector, including efforts to stabilize relations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He cited the reported 40 percent salary increase for university lecturers as part of measures to strengthen tertiary education.
He further highlighted the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support to students seeking higher education, describing it as a major step toward expanding access to academic opportunities nationwide.
Enwere added that the JAMB registration intervention underscores the administration’s focus on sustaining the South East’s academic competitiveness.
“To our students, this opportunity must not be taken for granted. Prepare diligently and strive for excellence. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said, while also acknowledging the sacrifices of parents and guardians.
Political observers say the initiative forms part of ongoing grassroots mobilization efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda in the South East, as stakeholders seek to consolidate support for the Tinubu administration through social investment programmes.
The event drew community leaders, parents and education stakeholders, who expressed optimism that the programme would boost university admissions and expand access to tertiary education across Ebonyi State.
