The registration exercise was officially flagged off on Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, Awka Road, Onitsha, drawing students, parents, community leaders, and stakeholders from across the state.
50,000 Students to Benefit in Anambra
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of SERHA, Belusochukwu Enwere, said the intervention forms part of a broader educational support scheme targeted at 50,000 students across the South East geopolitical zone.
According to Enwere, the initiative demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and equal access to tertiary education.
He explained that the programme is designed to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians, especially at a time when many families are struggling with economic challenges.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude to God and deep commitment to the future of our young people as we officially commence the 50,000 Free JAMB Scholarship/Registration for Anambra State students,” Enwere said.
He stressed that the exercise is not just about examination registration but about creating opportunities and removing barriers that prevent talented young people from advancing academically.
Renewed Hope Beyond a Slogan
Enwere noted that the sponsorship of 50,000 students reflects the belief of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the brilliance and capacity of Nigerian youths.
He added that the initiative aligns with a long-term vision of building a knowledge-driven and economically vibrant South East region.
“Today is not just about examination registration. It is about unlocking opportunities. It is about removing barriers. It is about investing deliberately in the intellectual capital of Anambra State,” he said.
He further emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda must go beyond words and translate into practical interventions that positively impact families and communities.
“Renewed Hope must not remain a slogan; it must translate into real interventions that positively impact families and communities.”
Call for Excellence from Beneficiaries
Addressing the prospective beneficiaries, Enwere described the scholarship as a responsibility and a vote of confidence in their potential.
He urged students to justify the trust reposed in them by preparing diligently for the examination and striving for excellence.
“To our dear students, this scholarship is a responsibility. It is a vote of confidence in your potential. We expect you to prepare diligently, remain focused, and strive for excellence. Let your results reflect Mr President’s investment made in you today.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination remains a critical requirement for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. By covering the registration costs, the initiative is expected to give thousands of indigent but academically qualified candidates a fair opportunity to compete.
State Coordinator Expresses Optimism
Earlier in his remarks, the SERHA Coordinator in Anambra State, Alphonsus Muonagolu, expressed optimism that students drawn from all 21 local government areas of the state would benefit from the intervention.
He assured that the process would be transparent and inclusive, ensuring that deserving candidates from various communities are captured.
Muonagolu described the programme as timely, noting that it would reduce the financial pressure on many households while encouraging more young people to pursue higher education.
Expanding Access to Higher Education
Education stakeholders present at the event commended the initiative, stating that registration fees have, over the years, posed challenges for some families.
With the free JAMB registration now underway, thousands of students in Anambra State are expected to register for the 2026 examination without the usual financial strain.
Observers say that beyond immediate relief, the programme could contribute to improved enrolment in tertiary institutions across the South East, thereby strengthening the region’s human capital base.
As the registration continues across the 21 LGAs, many parents and students have described the initiative as a welcome development that could open new doors for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged youths.
More updates on education, scholarships, and JAMB registration will be published on StudentPortals.com.ng.