Over 10,000 students in Ebonyi State have benefited from a free registration exercise for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The initiative, organised under the South East Renewed Hope Agenda, was flagged off in Abakaliki by the National Coordinator, Belusochukwu Enwere, who described the programme as part of ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education for young people in the state.
The UTME is conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as a prerequisite for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Enwere said the intervention was designed to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians while ensuring that no eligible student is prevented from sitting for the examination due to inability to pay registration fees.
According to him, the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places emphasis on youth empowerment and educational advancement.
He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity by preparing adequately for the examination and maintaining discipline in their studies.
“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,” he said.
Some parents and stakeholders who attended the flag-off ceremony commended the organisers, noting that the rising cost of examination fees has posed challenges for many families.
The free registration exercise is expected to increase the number of candidates from Ebonyi State participating in the 2026 UTME and potentially improve admission prospects into tertiary institutions.
Registration is ongoing at designated centres across the state.
