The School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially released the Senate-approved academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The newly released calendar provides a comprehensive breakdown of academic activities for postgraduate students, covering both the first and second semesters, as well as important administrative timelines and special academic programmes scheduled for the session.

The announcement serves as a formal guide for postgraduate diploma (PGD), master’s, and doctoral students, enabling them to plan their academic, professional, and personal commitments effectively throughout the academic year.

Overview of the 2025/2026 Postgraduate Academic Session

The approved academic calendar outlines the structure of the postgraduate session, including:

• Registration periods

• Lecture durations

• Examination timelines

• Inter-semester breaks

• Long vacation

• Administrative and Senate meeting schedules

According to the calendar, the 2025/2026 postgraduate academic session will officially commence in January 2026 and conclude with a long vacation beginning in October 2026.

First Semester Academic Schedule (2025/2026)

Registration Period

The first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session begins with a three-week registration period, scheduled to run from:

Monday, 5th January 2026 to Saturday, 31st January 2026

During this period, all postgraduate students are expected to complete their registration requirements as stipulated by the School of Postgraduate Studies. Registration is a compulsory academic requirement, and students are advised to complete the process within the approved timeframe to avoid administrative challenges.

Commencement of Lectures

Lectures for the first semester are scheduled to begin shortly after the commencement of registration.

• Lecture Period:
  Monday, 12th January 2026 – Tuesday, 31st March 2026

This lecture period spans a total of eleven (11) weeks, during which students will engage in coursework, seminars, research discussions, and other academic activities as determined by their respective departments.

The duration allows adequate time for course coverage, academic interaction, and continuous assessment where applicable.

First Semester Examinations

At the conclusion of lectures, postgraduate students will sit for first-semester examinations.

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

This examination window covers four weeks, allowing sufficient time for written examinations, oral assessments, presentations, and other forms of evaluation as prescribed by individual programmes.

Students are advised to prepare adequately and ensure compliance with all examination regulations issued by the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Inter-Semester Break

Following the completion of first-semester examinations, students will proceed on an inter-semester break.

• Inter-Semester Break:
  Thursday, 7th May 2026 – Monday, 22nd June 2026

This break provides students with an opportunity to:

• Rest and recover from academic activities

• Engage in research and fieldwork

• Prepare for the second semester

The inter-semester break also allows the university to carry out result processing and administrative reviews.

Second Semester Academic Schedule (2025/2026)

Registration for Second Semester

Activities for the second semester commence with a short registration window.

• Registration Period:
  Monday, 22nd June 2026 – Friday, 26th June 2026

This five-day registration period applies to all postgraduate students continuing into the second semester. Students are expected to finalize registration promptly to ensure uninterrupted participation in academic activities.

Second Semester Lectures

Lectures for the second semester are scheduled to commence immediately after registration.

• Lecture Period:
  Tuesday, 23rd June 2026 – Friday, 11th September 2026

The lecture duration for the second semester spans twelve (12) weeks, making it slightly longer than the first semester.

During this period, students will continue with:

• Coursework

• Research seminars

• Project supervision activities

• Departmental academic engagements

This extended lecture period allows for deeper academic engagement and comprehensive course delivery.

Second Semester Examinations

At the end of second-semester lectures, examinations will be conducted as scheduled.

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

This four-week examination window accommodates:

• Written examinations

• Research presentations

• Oral defenses (where applicable)

• Departmental assessments

Students are expected to strictly adhere to examination guidelines issued by the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Long Vacation

Following the completion of second-semester examinations, students will proceed on a long vacation.

• Long Vacation Commences:
  Tuesday, 13th October 2026

The long vacation marks the official conclusion of academic activities for the 2025/2026 postgraduate session for students.

Administrative and Academic Committee Timelines

Beyond student-focused activities, the academic calendar also outlines several critical administrative timelines essential for the smooth running of postgraduate programmes.

These include periods allocated for:

• Marking of examination scripts

• Departmental Postgraduate Committee meetings

• Faculty Postgraduate Committee meetings

• Postgraduate Board meetings

• Senate Examination Meetings

These administrative processes are crucial for:

• Reviewing academic performance

• Approving results

• Addressing academic issues

• Ensuring quality assurance

The inclusion of these timelines ensures transparency and efficiency in postgraduate academic administration.

Commencement of 2026/2027 Academic Session

According to the approved calendar, the next postgraduate academic session will begin later in the year.

• Commencement of 2026/2027 Academic Session:
  Wednesday, 30th December 2026

This date marks the official transition into the next academic cycle for postgraduate students at ATBU.

Special Academic Programme: PG-ICT Short Training

A notable feature of the approved calendar is the inclusion of a special postgraduate ICT training programme.

PG-ICT Short Training Programme

The calendar indicates that the PG-ICT short training will be offered throughout the entire academic session.

This programme is designed to:

• Enhance students’ digital skills

• Support research activities

• Improve academic productivity

The continuous availability of the PG-ICT training reflects the university’s commitment to integrating technology into postgraduate education.

Importance of the Approved Academic Calendar

The release of the academic calendar is a vital step in academic planning. It allows postgraduate students to:

• Plan their academic workload

• Schedule research and fieldwork

• Make informed personal and professional decisions

• Avoid conflicts with academic obligations

For academic staff and administrators, the calendar serves as a framework for effective programme delivery and evaluation.

Expectations from Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate students are expected to:

• Take note of all key dates

• Complete registration within approved periods

• Attend lectures and seminars regularly

• Prepare adequately for examinations

• Comply with postgraduate regulations

Failure to adhere to the academic calendar may result in academic or administrative challenges.

Role of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS)

The School of Postgraduate Studies is responsible for:

• Coordinating postgraduate academic activities

• Ensuring compliance with Senate-approved schedules

• Monitoring academic progress of postgraduate students

• Upholding academic standards

The release of this calendar demonstrates SPGS’s commitment to structured academic planning and quality assurance.

Advice to Newly Admitted Postgraduate Students

New postgraduate students are advised to:

• Familiarize themselves with the academic calendar early

• Understand registration and lecture timelines

• Seek guidance from their departments where necessary

Early awareness of the academic schedule helps new students integrate smoothly into the postgraduate system.

Advice to Returning Postgraduate Students

Returning students are reminded that:

• Each academic session follows a fresh schedule

• Registration must be completed every semester

• Academic timelines may differ from previous sessions

Staying updated with the approved calendar ensures academic continuity.

Importance of Monitoring Official Notices

Students are encouraged to:

• Regularly check official university communication channels

• Rely on announcements from SPGS and the university

• Avoid misinformation from unofficial sources

Official calendars and notices provide the most accurate academic information.

ATBU’s Commitment to Postgraduate Education

Through the timely release of the academic calendar, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University reaffirms its commitment to:

• Academic excellence

• Effective postgraduate training

• Structured academic administration

The calendar reflects a well-planned academic structure that supports research, learning, and innovation.

Summary of Key Dates at a Glance

• First Semester Registration: 5th – 31st January 2026

• First Semester Lectures: 12th January – 31st March 2026

• First Semester Exams: 8th April – 6th May 2026

• Inter-Semester Break: 7th May – 22nd June 2026

• Second Semester Registration: 22nd – 26th June 2026

• Second Semester Lectures: 23rd June – 11th September 2026

• Second Semester Exams: 14th September – 12th October 2026

• Long Vacation Begins: 13th October 2026

• Next Session Begins: 30th December 2026

Conclusion

The release of the 2025/2026 Postgraduate Academic Calendar by the School of Postgraduate Studies, ATBU Bauchi, provides postgraduate students and staff with a clear and structured roadmap for the academic year.

With well-defined timelines for registration, lectures, examinations, administrative processes, and special training programmes, the calendar ensures smooth academic operations throughout the session.

All postgraduate students are advised to study the calendar carefully, adhere strictly to all timelines, and plan accordingly for a productive and successful academic session.