President Bola Tinubu has launched a free registration programme for 50,000 students preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination across Nigeria’s Southeast, as part of efforts to expand access to higher education.
The initiative, introduced under the Renewed Hope Agenda and unveiled in Enugu, will support 10,000 prospective candidates in each of the five Southeast states. Every beneficiary will receive ₦8,500 to cover registration costs for the 2027 examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The programme was formally launched by Belusochukwu Enwerem, National Coordinator of the Southeast Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA), who described the initiative as a major step toward removing financial obstacles that hinder educational advancement.
“Today is not just a ceremony. Today is a movement, a movement of hope, empowerment, and a declaration that the future will not be limited by financial barriers,” Enwerem stated.
Expanding Southeast Students’ Access to Tertiary Education
The intervention is designed to widen access to tertiary education by helping more young Nigerians participate in the national admission process. It also reinforces the role of education as a key driver of youth empowerment and long-term development.
Supporters say the programme represents a strategic investment in the region’s future workforce, with beneficiaries expected to emerge as professionals and innovators across fields such as medicine, engineering, law, education, entrepreneurship, and technology.
As national conversations continue around equitable access to learning opportunities, the initiative adds to broader efforts aimed at expanding educational inclusion and strengthening pathways for young people across Nigeria.
