Ten thousand students in Enugu State will have their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration fees paid in full by the South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA), removing what has long been a significant financial hurdle for many families seeking university admission for their children.

The scheme was officially launched yesterday by the National Coordinator of SERHA, Belusochukwu Enwere, who said the move was intended to ensure that no qualified student in the state would be prevented from sitting the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to an inability to afford registration costs.

Enwere described the intervention as aligned with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said places youth empowerment, education reform, and inclusive development at its core. He made clear that the programme carried a strategic purpose beyond simply covering examination fees.

"This programme is not charity; it is strategic empowerment. When we educate our youth, we secure our economy. When we empower our students, we strengthen our nation," he said.

Enwere also referenced ongoing federal education sector reforms, including efforts to restore stable relations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said reflected a wider commitment to expanding access to tertiary education.

He encouraged beneficiaries to approach the UTME with seriousness and diligence, while calling on parents and guardians to provide continued support for their children's academic ambitions.