ASABA/Nigeria: No fewer than 1,500 students across Delta North Senatorial District have expressed deep appreciation and renewed academic determination following the sponsorship of their 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration fees by Senator Ned Nwoko, describing the intervention as a lifeline that has lifted a significant financial burden from their families.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the district’s nine local government areas, said the support removed a major barrier that often prevents candidates from sitting for the nationwide examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, especially for households managing multiple children seeking tertiary admission at the same time.
Several students who spoke from different parts of the district described the gesture as timely and life-changing. Ike Esther from Ika North East said the sponsorship came at a critical moment when her parents were struggling to balance urgent family expenses with her examination costs. She noted that the intervention has allowed her to concentrate fully on her studies instead of worrying about registration.
Moses Peters and Chukwuyem Dorcas from Ika South said the programme transformed their outlook on the admission process, stressing that it reassured them their educational ambitions are recognized and supported at the constituency level. Ossai Success from Ukwuani added that the assistance has strengthened her resolve to perform well, saying the support instills a sense of responsibility to justify the confidence placed in them.
Favour Nwoko from Aniocha North said the initiative sends a strong signal about the value attached to youth education in the district, emphasizing that such gestures inspire students to take their academic future more seriously.
The beneficiaries were selected across Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, ensuring that candidates from both urban and rural communities benefited. Students from riverine and interior areas noted that the organized registration exercise helped bridge longstanding gaps caused by transportation challenges and limited access to information.
Participants also reported that the process in their various centres was orderly and transparent, allowing them to complete registration without stress or unofficial charges. Many stressed that beyond financial relief, the programme delivered a psychological boost at a decisive stage in their academic journey, with some revealing they had considered postponing their examination due to uncertainty over fees.
Parents and guardians, according to the students, have also welcomed the intervention, describing it as direct support for household educational advancement. With registration secured, many beneficiaries said they have shifted full attention to preparation, forming study groups and peer-learning circles to improve their chances of gaining admission into universities and polytechnics.
Observers note that the lawmaker’s education-focused initiatives did not begin with the UTME sponsorship. He had earlier awarded scholarships to 90 students of Delta North origin to study courses of their choice at the Sports University of Nigeria, located in Idumuje Ugboko, further reinforcing his commitment to expanding academic opportunities for youths in the district.
Across the senatorial zone, the prevailing mood among the sponsored candidates is one of gratitude and determination, with many saying the opportunity has opened a door they are now resolved to walk through with discipline and excellence.
