A former member of the House of Representatives and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Shehu ABG, has sponsored 3000 indigent students to sit the 2026 examination of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The education support initiative cuts across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State and covers the full cost of registration for each beneficiary. The programme is being implemented through the Shehu ABG Foundation and is specifically targeted at candidates from low income families who may not be able to afford the examination fees.
Speaking during an inspection of designated registration centres in Kaduna on Friday, ABG explained that the intervention was designed to address the growing number of qualified students missing out on tertiary education opportunities due to financial hardship.
He expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing trend of bright and hardworking students being unable to register for JAMB because their parents cannot afford the fees. According to him, the initiative is not politically motivated but focused on securing the future of young people and ensuring that poverty does not stand in the way of higher education.
The PDP governorship hopeful noted that the rising cost of education continues to widen inequality, pushing children from disadvantaged backgrounds further away from opportunities. He described education as the most reliable tool for social mobility and warned that neglecting the academic future of youths could deepen poverty in society.
Beyond sponsoring the examination forms, ABG announced a performance based scholarship scheme for outstanding candidates. Students who excel in the examination will receive full sponsorship from 100 level through graduation, a move he said is aimed at rewarding excellence and encouraging academic competition.
Parents and guardians present at the registration centres described the gesture as timely amid prevailing economic challenges.
Leave a comment