The Office of the Registrar, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially released the Senate-approved academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session. This calendar provides a detailed breakdown of all academic activities for both the first semester and second semester, helping students and staff plan effectively for the session.

The calendar was approved during the Second Semester Senate Examination Meeting, which took place on Monday, 17th November 2025. It covers important activities such as registration, resumption dates, lectures, continuous assessments, examinations, holidays, breaks, and administrative processes.

The university has advised all members of the university community—students, lecturers, and administrative staff—to carefully study and follow the schedule for smooth academic operations.

Importance of the Academic Calendar

An academic calendar is one of the most important documents in a university. It helps students and staff to:

• Know when to resume school

• Understand registration timelines

• Prepare for lectures, tests, and examinations

• Plan holidays and personal activities

• Avoid missing important academic deadlines

With the release of this calendar, ATBU has demonstrated its commitment to proper planning, organization, and academic stability.

FIRST SEMESTER (2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION)

Online Registration for All Students

The first semester officially begins with online registration for all students, covering 100 Level to 500 Level.

• Online Registration Period:
  Monday, 15th December 2025 – Monday, 5th January 2026

During this period, students are expected to log in to the university portal and complete their registration online before resuming physically on campus.

Resumption Dates for Students

ATBU has clearly separated the resumption dates for returning students and fresh students to ensure order and smooth movement on campus.

Returning Students (200–500 Level)

• Resumption Date: Monday, 5th January 2026

• Lectures Begin: Tuesday, 6th January 2026

Fresh Students (100 & 200 Level)

• Resumption Date: Monday, 12th January 2026

This arrangement allows returning students to settle in and begin lectures before the arrival of freshers.

Physical Registration

After resumption, students are required to complete physical registration at their respective faculties and departments.

Returning Students

• Physical Registration:
  5th January – 16th January 2026

Fresh Students

• Physical Registration:
  12th January – 16th January 2026

Late Registration (With Fine)

• 19th January – 23rd January 2026

Students who fail to register within the normal registration period will be required to pay a late registration fine.

Deferment of Studies (First Semester)

Students who wish to defer the first semester for valid reasons are given a specific window to do so officially.

• Deferment Period:
  6th January – 3rd February 2026

Students are advised to complete deferment processes within this period to avoid academic complications.

Matriculation and Orientation

• Matriculation Ceremony:
  For 100 Level students, the matriculation ceremony will be held on a date to be announced by JAMB.

• Orientation Programme:
  Orientation for new students will follow the matriculation ceremony.

These activities officially welcome new students into the university system.

Continuous Assessment (CA)

Continuous Assessment is an important part of student evaluation at ATBU.

• CA Period:
  23rd February – 3rd March 2026

During this period, students will participate in tests, quizzes, and other assessment activities.

First Semester Examinations

• Examination Period:
  Wednesday, 8th April – Wednesday, 6th May 2026

Students are advised to prepare adequately for their examinations and ensure they meet all academic and financial requirements.

Public Holidays During First Semester

The academic calendar includes several public holidays to allow students and staff observe national and religious events.

The holidays include:

• Christmas

• New Year

• Eid El-Fitr: 20th – 23rd March 2026

• Good Friday / Easter: 3rd – 6th April 2026

• Workers’ Day: 1st May 2026

• Id el Kabir: 27th – 28th May 2026

These holidays are already factored into the academic schedule.

First Semester Break

After the completion of examinations and result processing:

• First Semester Break Begins: Wednesday, 7th May 2026

• Break Ends / Second Semester Resumption: Monday, 22nd June 2026

This break allows students to rest and prepare for the second semester.

SECOND SEMESTER (2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION)

Resumption of All Students

• Resumption Date:
  Monday, 22nd June 2026

All students are expected to resume on this date for the second semester.

Registration and Lectures

• Registration Period:
  22nd June – 26th June 2026

• Lectures Begin:
  Tuesday, 23rd June 2026

Late Registration (With Fine)

• 29th June – 2nd July 2026

Students who fail to register within the normal period will be penalized.

Deferment and Course Adjustment

Second Semester Deferment

• 23rd June – 21st July 2026

Students wishing to defer the second semester must apply within this period.

Add and Drop Period

• 21st July – 23rd July 2026

This allows students to add or drop courses officially.

Continuous Assessment (Second Semester)

• CA Period:
  3rd August – 14th August 2026

Students should attend lectures regularly to perform well in their assessments.

Second Semester Examinations

• Examination Period:
  Monday, 14th September – Monday, 12th October 2026

This marks the final academic activity for students in the 2025/2026 session.

Public Holidays During Second Semester

The calendar also recognizes important holidays during the second semester:

• Id El Maulud: 26th August 2026

• Independence Day: 1st October 2026

End-of-Session Holiday

After the second semester examinations:

• Student Holiday Begins: Tuesday, 13th October 2026

• Holiday Ends: Tuesday, 29th December 2026

This marks the official end of the 2025/2026 academic session.

Administrative Timeline

The academic calendar also outlines administrative activities for staff and management.

Result Processing

• Results will be processed by Boards of Studies, followed by Senate Business Committee (SBC) meetings.

Senate Examination Meetings

• Scheduled for June 2026 and November 2026

Academic Staff Annual Leave

• 17th November – 29th December 2026

These processes ensure proper evaluation and approval of students’ academic performance.

Advice to Students and Staff

All members of the ATBU community are advised to:

• Take note of all dates

• Register early to avoid penalties

• Attend lectures regularly

• Prepare adequately for assessments and examinations

• Follow official university guidelines

Students should rely only on official university communication for information.

Conclusion

The release of the ATBU Senate-approved academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session provides clear guidance on all academic activities for the year. From registration and resumption to examinations and holidays, the calendar ensures proper planning and smooth academic operations.

The university community is strongly encouraged to study the calendar carefully and comply strictly with all outlined schedules for a successful academic session.