The lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, has commended the Federal Government’s National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for its role in supporting students’ access to higher education.
Hon. Yishawu made this statement as he kicked off the 12th edition of his annual free JAMB form distribution initiative, which provides 1,000 free UTME forms to indigent students in his constituency.
12th Edition of Free JAMB Forms Initiative Begins
The 2025 edition of the free JAMB form distribution commenced on February 10, 2025, and will run until February 21, 2025. Speaking at the launch, Yishawu emphasized the importance of education in national development.
**“This is the 12th edition, and I am very happy. Education is one of the key pillars of my representation because it opens doors. When you are educated, the sky is your limit.
“A nation cannot grow beyond its educational system, which is why we focus on human capital development. By providing free JAMB forms, we are not only supporting students but also easing the burden on their parents.”**
Helping Students Transition to Higher Education
Hon. Yishawu noted that since the program began, 22.5% of beneficiaries have successfully gained admission into tertiary institutions. However, some students struggled with financial difficulties after passing JAMB, prompting him to introduce stipends to support them in their transition to higher education.
“Initially, some students struggled with fees after obtaining free JAMB forms, so we started giving them stipends to stabilize them,” he explained.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for launching NELFUND, a scheme that provides student loans for tuition and living expenses, ensuring that financial constraints no longer prevent students from completing their education.
“With this initiative, no one has an excuse not to attend university. We are now in a knowledge-driven and IT-powered economy, and education is an investment that will propel national growth.”
Beneficiaries and Parents Express Gratitude
Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the free JAMB forms and the relief it has brought to their families.
- Miss Adekunle Oluwaferanmi, a recipient, thanked the lawmaker, saying:
“This initiative saved my parents from spending on the JAMB form. Now, I can pursue my dream of studying Business Administration at Olabisi Onabanjo University.” - A parent of one of the beneficiaries acknowledged the impact of the initiative:
“Mr. Yishawu has been doing this for years. The JAMB form is expensive now, and for someone like me who earns a salary, I would have had to wait until payday to buy it.” - Salami Rebecca, another recipient, highlighted how the initiative made the registration process stress-free:
“The form is expensive, but we got it here for free, and the process was seamless.” - Uyo Otuekong, a student, shared how the program motivated him to take his education more seriously:
“This initiative has encouraged me to study harder. I promise to do well so that the lawmaker’s effort is not in vain.” - Mr. Lukman, a parent, praised Yishawu’s long-standing commitment to education, stating:
“All my children have benefited from GOY’s free JAMB form initiative.” - Gideon Bennie, another beneficiary, described the program as life-changing:
“This support gives us the chance to build a better future through education.”
Commitment to Youth Empowerment
With the ongoing distribution of free JAMB forms and additional support from NELFUND, Hon. Yishawu remains committed to empowering the youth of Eti-Osa through education, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from achieving their dreams.