No fewer than 10,000 students in Ebonyi State have benefited from a free registration exercise for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) under an initiative anchored by supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The UTME, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is a mandatory requirement for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Belusochukwu Enwere, described the programme as part of efforts to expand access to higher education for young people in Ebonyi State.
According to him, the intervention is aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and guardians while ensuring that no eligible candidate is prevented from sitting for the examination due to inability to pay the registration fee.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which places strong emphasis on youth empowerment and educational advancement as drivers of national development.
“This initiative is aimed at giving our students a fair chance to compete and secure admission into higher institutions. We encourage them to make the most of it through hard work and focus,” Enwere said.
He urged beneficiaries to prepare diligently for the examination and remain disciplined in their studies to maximise the opportunity provided.
Parents and other stakeholders at the event commended the organisers, noting that the rising cost of examination fees has posed significant challenges for many families.
Observers believe the free registration exercise will boost participation of candidates from Ebonyi State in the 2026 UTME and potentially improve their chances of gaining admission into tertiary institutions nationwide.
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