Ajadi targets 10,000 Oyo youths in free JAMB scholarship drive

In a move widely seen as both a social intervention and a statement of policy direction ahead of the 2027 governorship race, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has unveiled an ambitious education-support programme aimed at empowering more than 10,000 indigent students across the 351 wards in the 33 local governments of Oyo State through the provision of free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms.

Ajadi announced that the initiative, which will span the 33 local government areas of the state, is designed to reduce financial barriers that prevent many qualified students from accessing tertiary education, particularly amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

Under the scheme, no fewer than 300 students in each local government are expected to benefit from the provision of JAMB registration forms, alongside free preparatory classes to improve their chances of success in the highly competitive national examination.

“Education is not a privilege for the few; it is a right and a strategic investment in our collective future,” Ajadi said. “When we deny young people access to education because of poverty, we are also denying the state its future doctors, engineers, teachers, innovators and leaders.”

According to the Ajadi, the programme is open to all indigenes and residents of Oyo State, provided applicants possess a National Identification Number (NIN) and GCE Ordinary Level certificates. He explained that application forms and screening exercises will take place at PDP secretariats in all 33 local governments, running from Monday, January 19 to February 28, 2026.

Ajadi stressed that the selection process would be transparent and strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, without political, ethnic or religious bias.

“This is not about politics; it is about people,” he said. “We want to give every willing and qualified student a fair chance. The process will be open, fair and inclusive.”

“Education remains the bedrock of development in any society,” he added. “That is why I have consistently invested in human capital, even outside Oyo State. Now, I am determined to do more here, because Oyo has the talent and the population to lead Nigeria in knowledge and innovation.”

Beyond the immediate intervention, Ajadi framed the JAMB scholarship scheme as a practical expression of his broader education manifesto, which he said would guide his policies if elected governor.

Under his proposed “Future-Ready Generation” agenda, education would become the backbone of Oyo State’s development, modeled after systems in advanced economies where learning drives innovation, productivity and economic growth.

Key elements of the agenda include free and compulsory basic education, backed by strong enforcement mechanisms and incentives to boost school attendance, particularly in rural communities. Ajadi also promised continuous retraining and welfare upgrades for teachers, including professional development programmes, competitive remuneration and performance-based rewards.

“You cannot fix education without fixing the teacher,” Ajadi said. “A motivated, well-trained teacher is the engine of a successful education system.”

The manifesto further outlines plans for digital classrooms and smart schools, equipped with broadband internet, tablets and modern learning environments across the state, alongside a renewed focus on technical and vocational education (TVET) aligned with industry needs through a dual education system.

Ajadi also pledged to promote university–industry partnerships to drive research, innovation and job placement for graduates, as well as the establishment of education loans and expanded scholarship schemes for indigent but academically gifted students.

“Our goal is simple,” he said. “We want to produce graduates who are not only employable but also capable of creating jobs, competing globally and contributing meaningfully to society.”

Parents and guardians across the state have already welcomed the JAMB intervention, describing it as timely relief in the face of rising education costs.

“This has lifted a huge burden off many families,” Ajadi noted. “At a time of economic hardship, helping parents educate their children is one of the most impactful forms of empowerment.”

As political activities gradually gather momentum in Oyo State, observers say Ajadi’s education-focused interventions are positioning him as a contender whose campaign narrative is rooted in human capital development, with education at its core.

If fully implemented, his proposals, supporters argue, could help build a globally competitive workforce for Oyo State—one equipped with practical skills, innovation capacity and strong civic values.