Thousands of students in Imo State now have better access to higher education after Thursday’s launch of a free JAMB registration program in Owerri. This South East initiative has already helped students in Ebonyi and Enugu states.
The South East Renewed Hope Agenda distributed 10,000 scholarship slots to indigent students across the state, forming part of a 50,000 beneficiary scheme spanning all five South East states.
Young secondary school leavers and SSS3 students turned out in large numbers for the Owerri flag off ceremony, joined by government officials, traditional rulers, and private sector partners who witnessed the distribution.
Belusochukwu Enwere, National Coordinator of SERHA, explained that the programme removes financial obstacles facing families seeking higher education opportunities for their children, with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda providing the framework for the intervention.
He said the 50,000 scholarships will be divided equally among Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, so each state will get 10,000 slots that cover the full cost of JAMB registration.
Enwere noted that once admitted into tertiary institutions, beneficiaries can access the NELFUND loan scheme to pay their school fees, creating a comprehensive support system from examination to graduation.
"Each scholarship covers the full cost of JAMB registration, giving 10,000 deserving students per state the chance to step confidently into university or polytechnic," Enwere stated.
One beneficiary, Akor Peters from Ahiazu Mbaise, who attended the event on crutches, expressed appreciation for the opportunity and committed to studying diligently to pass the examination.
Enwere challenged students to maximise the opportunity created by the scholarship, emphasising the South East's reputation for producing innovative leaders and entrepreneurs.
"President Tinubu, in his wisdom, has made education a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda. From the Student Loan Scheme to infrastructure revamps in our schools, his administration is weaving a tapestry of progress that includes every region, every tribe, every child. This scholarship is your launchpad. Seize it with both hands. Study with passion, dream with audacity, and remember that your success is Nigeria's success," Enwere declared.
SERHA emphasised its commitment to monitoring and mentoring scholarship recipients across all participating states to guarantee that the investment produces measurable academic achievements and career advancement for beneficiaries.
