The management of the university, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mrs. Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, has announced a significant adjustment to the 2025/2026 academic calendar. In an official communication released on behalf of the University Senate, the Vice-Chancellor confirmed the postponement of the 2025/2026 Matriculation Ceremony. Originally slated for Wednesday, 25th February 2026, the ceremony—a landmark event for every fresh student—has now been rescheduled to Wednesday, 18th March 2026.

This decision was not taken lightly but rather as a strategic response to the administrative complexities inherent in the modern admission and clearance process. By pushing the date forward by approximately three weeks, the university aims to ensure that no qualified candidate is disenfranchised or excluded from the formal induction into the scholarly community. The venue for this rescheduled event remains the prestigious Student International Conference Centre, with the commencement time fixed for 10:00 a.m. prompt.

The Rationale Behind the Postponement: Ensuring Data Integrity

The primary driver for this postponement is the necessity for candidates who have been offered provisional admission to finalize their institutional clearance. In the contemporary Nigerian educational landscape, the transition from a “provisional candidate” to a “bonafide student” is a rigorous process involving multiple layers of verification.

A central component of this process is the issuance of a Matriculation Number. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the matriculation number is not merely an identification tag; it is a vital component of the ceremony and a student’s permanent legal identity within the university. Without a matriculation number, a student cannot officially sign the Matriculation Register—the “Book of Life” of the institution. By extending the deadline, the university allows the Admissions Office, the Bursary, and the ICT Directorate to synchronize their records, ensuring that every student standing in the Student International Conference Centre on March 18th is fully accounted for in the national and institutional databases.

The Anatomy of University Clearance: Why the Extra Time Matters

The clearance process is the administrative backbone of any tertiary institution. For fresh students, the journey toward matriculation involves several critical checkpoints that often face unforeseen delays:

1. Verification of O’Level and A’Level Results The university must verify the authenticity of certificates directly from examination bodies like WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. In cases where results are recently released or require manual verification, the process can take longer than the initial schedule allowed.

2. JAMB Admission Letter Processing Many students experience delays in getting their admission letters from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal. Without a “Regularized” JAMB letter, the university cannot assign a matriculation number that is recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

3. Financial Regularization The payment of tuition and statutory levies is a prerequisite for clearance. Recognizing the economic realities facing many families, the postponement offers a brief reprieve for parents and guardians to complete fee payments, which in turn triggers the digital generation of the student’s matriculation number.

4. Medical and Departmental Screening Students must undergo a mandatory medical examination at the University Health Centre to certify their fitness for the rigors of academic life. Simultaneously, departmental screening ensures that students possess the correct subject combinations for their chosen fields of study.

The Symbolic and Legal Significance of Matriculation

Matriculation is more than a photo opportunity or a social gathering; it is a legal ceremony where the university confers full rights and privileges upon the new intake. The postponement ensures that the symbolic “taking of the oath” is backed by administrative accuracy.

When a student takes the Matriculation Oath, they are entering into a contract with the university. They pledge to abide by the institution’s rules and regulations, to shun social vices like cultism and examination malpractice, and to dedicate themselves to the pursuit of knowledge. For the university, the ceremony is a formal declaration to the public that these students have met the standards required to be part of the academic community. By rescheduling the event to March 18th, Professor Omonzejie is ensuring that the Matriculation Register is accurate, preventing future complications regarding student identity during graduation or NYSC mobilization.

Logistics and Venue: The Student International Conference Centre

The choice of the Student International Conference Centre as the venue underscores the importance the university places on this event. As a facility designed to host high-level academic and diplomatic gatherings, it provides the necessary infrastructure for a dignified ceremony.

The management has already begun the process of re-allocating resources for the new date. The university security unit is working on a revised traffic management plan to accommodate the thousands of parents, guardians, and well-wishers expected to descend on the campus on March 18th. Furthermore, the academic procession—comprising the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, Deans of Faculties, and Professors—will be meticulously organized to reflect the university’s commitment to academic tradition and excellence.

Action Steps for Fresh Students and Stakeholders

In light of this postponement, the university management has issued a set of directives to ensure that the three-week window is utilized effectively:

• Urgent Clearance: Students who have yet to complete their physical screening at their respective faculty offices are urged to do so immediately. The faculty offices will be open during standard working hours to fast-track the processing of files.

• Portal Monitoring: Students should regularly check their university portal to confirm that their status has moved from “Provisional” to “Active.” Once a matriculation number is generated, students are advised to print their official admission letters and fee receipts.

• Collection of Regalia: The schedule for the collection of matriculation gowns will be adjusted. Usually, these gowns are distributed through the Faculty Officers upon presentation of a valid payment receipt. A new schedule for gown collection will likely be released by the first week of March.

• Academic Continuity: The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the postponement of the ceremony does not mean a suspension of lectures. All 100-level and direct-entry students are expected to continue attending their scheduled classes and laboratory sessions. The academic calendar for lectures remains unchanged.

The Leadership Vision of Professor Eunice Omonzejie

This decision reflects the “student-first” leadership style of Professor Mrs. Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie. By acting on behalf of the Senate to postpone the event, she has demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and administrative fairness. In many institutions, students who fail to register on time are often barred from matriculating, which can lead to psychological distress and academic delays. However, under the current administration, the focus is on providing a supportive environment that ensures every qualified student succeeds.

The involvement of the Senate in this decision-making process also highlights the democratic nature of the university’s governance. The Senate, as the highest academic body, prioritizes the integrity of the university’s degrees and the welfare of its students. This postponement is a testament to the university’s resolve to remain a center of excellence that values precision and order.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead to March 18, 2026

As the university community prepares for the new date, the atmosphere on campus remains one of anticipation. The 2025/2026 Matriculation Ceremony will be a celebration of resilience and academic potential. For the students, the three-week delay is a gift of time—a chance to resolve administrative bottlenecks and prepare fully for the day they officially become members of this prestigious institution.

Parents and well-wishers are encouraged to take note of the change and adjust their travel plans accordingly. The university management remains committed to providing a seamless experience for all participants. On Wednesday, 18th March 2026, at 10:00 a.m., the Student International Conference Centre will witness the birth of a new generation of leaders, researchers, and professionals.