The South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA) has launched a scholarship scheme to cover Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration fees for 10,000 indigent students in Imo State, as part of a broader regional programme targeting 50,000 beneficiaries across the South-East.
The initiative was flagged off on Thursday in Owerri by the National Coordinator of SERHA, Belusochukwu Enwere, at an event attended by hundreds of secondary school students, youths, and education stakeholders.
Enwere said the programme was designed to eliminate financial barriers preventing underprivileged students from pursuing tertiary education, adding that successful candidates would also benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
“Our goal is to ensure that no brilliant child is denied access to higher education because of financial constraints. 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,” he said.
He disclosed that the initiative would be implemented in all five South-East states, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 50,000 across the region.
“Upon admission, these students will also be able to access NELFUND to pay their school fees. This is about removing obstacles from entry to graduation,” Enwere added.
The SERHA coordinator said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education reforms, student loans, and infrastructure upgrades in schools.
“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,” he said.
Enwere described the South-East as a hub of innovation and enterprise, noting that the scholarship would help nurture the next generation of leaders, engineers, doctors, and innovators.
“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,” he told the students.
He also praised parents and teachers for their roles in shaping young minds, assuring them of support from the programme.
“To the parents and guardians: your sacrifices have not been in vain. Today, we stand with you, easing the burden so your children can soar. To our educators: you are the unsung architects of destiny. Continue molding these young minds with excellence,” Enwere said.
He further disclosed that SERHA would monitor and mentor scholarship recipients to ensure the initiative translates into tangible academic and career outcomes.
“We are not just paying JAMB fees; we are investing in futures. These students will be tracked, mentored, and supported to ensure they succeed and give back to society,” he added.
