The Federal University of Lafia (FUL) has officially announced the schedule for the Orientation Programme and Matriculation Ceremony for newly admitted postgraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic session. The announcement was made through the university’s College of Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) and communicated via an internal memo signed by the College Secretary, Mrs. Aisha Lawal.

According to the memo, the orientation and matriculation exercises are important academic events designed to formally welcome new postgraduate students into the university community and provide them with essential information needed for a successful academic journey at FUL.

Overview of the Announcement

The College of Postgraduate Studies disclosed that the two major events have been scheduled to take place over two consecutive days in January 2026. The timetable is structured to allow newly admitted students to fully participate in both activities without conflict.

The details released by the university are as follows:

• Orientation Programme: Wednesday, 21 January 2026

• Matriculation Ceremony: Thursday, 22 January 2026

• Time: 9:00 a.m. prompt for both events

The management emphasized punctuality and full participation by all concerned students.

Importance of the Orientation Programme

The Orientation Programme is a crucial academic exercise organized to formally introduce newly admitted postgraduate students to life at the Federal University of Lafia. It serves as an avenue for students to gain first-hand information about the university’s academic structure, rules, regulations, and expectations.

During the orientation, students are expected to receive guidance on:

• Academic procedures and requirements

• University rules and postgraduate regulations

• Research ethics and academic integrity

• Campus facilities and student support services

• Expectations from postgraduate students

The orientation also provides an opportunity for students to interact with key university officials, faculty members, and fellow postgraduate students.

Significance of the Matriculation Ceremony

The Matriculation Ceremony represents the formal admission of newly enrolled postgraduate students into the Federal University of Lafia. It is a long-standing academic tradition in Nigerian universities, symbolizing the official recognition of students as bona fide members of the institution.

During the matriculation:

• Students take the matriculation oath

• University authorities formally admit students

• Students are officially registered into the academic system

Participation in the matriculation ceremony is compulsory for all newly admitted postgraduate students, as failure to matriculate may affect a student’s academic status.

Venue for the Ceremonies

The College of Postgraduate Studies announced that the physical venue for both the orientation and matriculation ceremonies will be:

Mallam Adamu Adamu Twin Lecture Hall
Federal University of Lafia

This venue was selected to accommodate the expected number of participants and to ensure a conducive environment for the ceremonies.

Participation for Online Programme Students

In recognition of the growing number of students enrolled in online postgraduate programmes, the university made provisions for virtual participation.

According to the memo:

• Students enrolled in online postgraduate programmes are not required to attend physically

• Such students are expected to participate virtually in both the orientation and matriculation ceremonies

This arrangement ensures inclusivity and allows all newly admitted postgraduate students, regardless of mode of study, to participate fully in these important academic events.

Mandatory Registration Requirement

The College of Postgraduate Studies strongly advised all newly admitted postgraduate students to complete their registration before the matriculation day.

The memo emphasized that:

• Completion of registration is a mandatory requirement

• Only fully registered students will be eligible to participate in the matriculation ceremony

• Students who fail to complete their registration may face delays or complications in their academic records

Students are therefore encouraged to ensure that all registration processes are concluded well ahead of the matriculation date.

Role of the College of Postgraduate Studies (CPGS)

The College of Postgraduate Studies plays a central role in coordinating postgraduate academic activities at the Federal University of Lafia. Its responsibilities include:

• Admission processing

• Academic scheduling

• Student orientation

• Matriculation and graduation processes

• Oversight of postgraduate programmes

By organizing the orientation and matriculation ceremonies, the CPGS continues to uphold academic traditions while ensuring proper integration of new students into the university system.

Internal Memo and Official Communication

The announcement was communicated through an internal memo issued by the College Secretary, Mrs. Aisha Lawal. The memo serves as an official directive to students and members of the university community.

In the memo, the College Secretary urged:

• Newly admitted postgraduate students to take note of the dates

• Members of the university community to support the smooth conduct of the ceremonies

This underscores the importance the university places on collective cooperation and orderly academic processes.

Expectations from Newly Admitted Postgraduate Students

New postgraduate students are expected to:

• Take note of the orientation and matriculation dates

• Complete all registration requirements promptly

• Attend the events either physically or virtually, depending on their programme

• Observe university rules and guidelines during the ceremonies

The university emphasized that these expectations are part of maintaining academic discipline and order.

Academic Culture and Tradition at FUL

The Federal University of Lafia places high value on academic culture, orderliness, and institutional traditions. The orientation and matriculation ceremonies are key components of this culture, serving both symbolic and practical purposes.

Through these ceremonies, the university:

• Reinforces its academic values

• Welcomes new scholars into its academic community

• Sets expectations for postgraduate conduct and excellence

Support from the University Community

The memo concluded by calling on members of the university community to support the smooth conduct of the orientation and matriculation ceremonies.

This includes:

• Academic staff

• Administrative staff

• Security personnel

• Student support units

Their cooperation is essential in ensuring that the events run successfully and without disruptions.

Key Dates at a Glance

For ease of reference, below is a summary of the key details:

• Institution: Federal University of Lafia (FUL)

• College: College of Postgraduate Studies (CPGS)

• Academic Session: 2025/2026

• Orientation Programme: Wednesday, 21 January 2026

• Matriculation Ceremony: Thursday, 22 January 2026

• Time: 9:00 a.m. prompt

• Venue: Mallam Adamu Adamu Twin Lecture Hall

• Online Students: Virtual participation

• Registration Status: Must be completed before matriculation

Advice to Newly Admitted Postgraduate Students

New postgraduate students are encouraged to:

• Prepare ahead for both ceremonies

• Dress appropriately for matriculation

• Ensure access to virtual platforms if participating online

• Stay informed through official university communication channels

Early preparation will help students avoid last-minute challenges and ensure a smooth transition into postgraduate studies.

Conclusion

The announcement of the Orientation Programme and Matriculation Ceremony for postgraduate students by the Federal University of Lafia marks a significant step in the commencement of the 2025/2026 academic session for new postgraduate entrants.

By clearly outlining the dates, venue, participation mode, and registration requirements, the College of Postgraduate Studies has provided students with the necessary information to prepare adequately.

All newly admitted postgraduate students are therefore advised to take this announcement seriously, complete their registration on time, and participate fully in the orientation and matriculation exercises as scheduled.