The Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, on Monday launched the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration support scheme, alongside bursary awards, for indigent youths in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.
Over 180 youths, including undergraduates enrolled in various Universities across the country and prospective students seeking fresh admission, benefitted from the initiative.
Addressing beneficiaries in his country home, Umuezegu Isialangwa North LGA, during the exercise, Pastor Ajagba explained that the initiative is a personal intervention and not funded by government.
The Chief of Staff stressed that the gesture was conceived to ease the financial burden on families, expand access to tertiary education for deserving but indigent youths and to help them “reshape their future meaningfully”.
“What I am doing is not being sponsored by government, no. Even though I’m working in government, government has not given me a dime to give. I’m just doing it because I feel there is need for that.
“This is my own little contribution, of course, known to His Excellency, for us to make sure that we extend opportunities to our young ones.
“It is not an additional income to the beneficiaries, it is something that has been conceived in order to offer support to those who actually need it”, Pastor Ajagba stated.
According to him, the free JAMB registration would enable candidates to sit for the forthcoming JAMB/ UTME without financial constraints, while the bursary awards would assist undergraduates from the area in meeting essential academic expenses.
He emphasized that education remains a critical pillar for sustainable development and “the shortest way in order to ensure a very credible future”, adding that lack of access to education could limit not only individual prospects but also those of future generations.
Pastor Ajagba urged beneficiaries to view the support as an opportunity to rewrite their history and that of their families, adding that the assistance was strictly for those in genuine need.
The Chief of Staff also charged the students to take their studies seriously, warning that the assistance would be withdrawn if discovered to be abused.
“If we discover that you’re being given this kind of assistance and you don’t take your studies seriously, of course it will be withdrawn. The Bible says to whom much is given, much is also expected”, he said.
Pastor Ajagba disclosed plans to extend support to youths interested in vocational training, business and other empowerment programmes and expressed his vision of widespread prosperity and education in which every household in the community would produce at least one millionaire and one graduate.
The Chief of Staff reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor Alex Otti to youth empowerment and human capital development, stressing that investment in education was an investment in the future of the State.
He noted that the Abia Leadership Academy and TechRise initiatives clearly demonstrate the present administration’s commitment to equipping youths with leadership skills, digital expertise and entrepreneurial capacity for sustainable development.
In an interview with National Ambassador, some of the beneficiaries of the disbursement initiative, including Martins Jacob, Amajuoyi Chinaemenma, Favour Nmesomachi, Dickson Success and Gift Onwughara, expressed appreciation to Pastor Caleb Ajagba, for what they described as a rare and life-changing gesture.
They noted that the intervention will significantly ease the financial burden on their parents and guardians, especially in meeting pressing educational expenses and pledged to remain focused on their studies, excel in their examinations as well as make Pastor Ajaegba proud through outstanding performance and responsible conduct.
