The management has officially announced the commencement of the registration exercise for the 2025/2026 academic session, effective Monday, 2nd February, 2026. This period marks the most critical administrative phase of the school year, as it transforms a candidate from an applicant into a bona fide student with full rights and access to institutional resources.

Registration is more than a mere formality; it is a multi-layered process involving financial clearance, academic validation, and digital record-keeping. To ensure a “hitch-free” experience as requested by the administration, students must understand the nuances of the workflow, the documentation required, and the implications of the deadlines set forth.

Phase I: The Pre-Registration Readiness

Before stepping onto the campus or logging into the student portal, every student—whether fresh or returning—must undergo a period of “administrative readiness.” This involves gathering all historical academic documents and ensuring that personal data is consistent across all platforms (JAMB, O’Level certificates, and the School Portal).

For Fresh Students, the primary focus is on the verification of entry qualifications. You must have your original Admission Letter, O’Level results (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB), and Birth Certificate ready. If there is a discrepancy in the spelling of your name between your birth certificate and your exam result, you are advised to obtain a legal affidavit immediately, as the registration officers will not overlook such inconsistencies.

For Returning Students, readiness involves checking your previous results to ensure you are academically eligible to register for the next level. Students on “Probation” or those with significant “Carry-overs” must consult their Level Coordinators to discuss their course load limitations before attempting to pay fees.

Phase II: Financial Clearance and Fee Payment

The engine of the registration exercise is the settlement of school fees. The institution operates a “Fee-First” policy, meaning the academic portal will remain locked for course registration until the Bursary Department confirms the receipt of the total stipulated fees.

Generating the Invoice

Students must log in to the official school portal to generate a unique Payment Invoice. This invoice contains a specialized code (often a Remita Retrieval Reference or an RRR) that links the payment directly to your specific Student ID. Under no circumstances should a student pay fees using an invoice generated by another student, as this will credit the wrong account and lead to significant reconciliation issues.

Payment Channels

The administration has approved two primary channels for payment:

1. Bank Branch Payment: Taking the printed invoice to any of the designated commercial banks.

2. Online Payment: Using a debit card directly on the school portal.

After payment, the student must return to the portal to “Validate” the transaction. This action triggers the system to issue an official school fees receipt, which is a mandatory document for the subsequent physical screening phases.

Phase III: The Registration Workflow

Once financial clearance is obtained, students are required to report to their respective Schools and Departments to begin the formal registration. This process is categorized into three distinct “Clears”:

1. The Faculty/School Screening

At the School level, the Faculty Officer verifies that the student has been placed in the correct program. For freshers, this involves a “Face-to-Face” verification to ensure that the person appearing for the registration is the same person captured in the admission database. You will be required to submit a set of photocopies of your credentials for the Faculty’s permanent file.

2. The Departmental Course Registration

This is the most critical academic step. Students must meet with their Departmental Course Advisers to pick the modules for the first and second semesters.

• Core Courses: These are compulsory units that must be passed to graduate.

• Elective/Optional Courses: These are courses chosen from a list to broaden the student’s knowledge or meet the total unit requirement.

• General Studies (GNS/GST): Mandatory university-wide courses.

It is a common mistake for students to register for too many or too few units. Most institutions set a limit (e.g., minimum 18 units and maximum 24 units per semester). Exceeding this limit without “Deans’ Approval” will lead to the automatic deletion of excess courses by the system during the examination period.

3. The Medical Screening

All fresh students must undergo a medical examination at the University Health Centre. This includes blood tests, chest X-rays, and general physicals. This is not just a formality; it is to ensure that the university can provide adequate care should a student have an underlying condition. A “Medical Fitness Certificate” will be issued upon completion, which must be added to the registration file.

Phase IV: Digital Confirmation and Final Submission

After the physical screening and course selection, the student must return to the portal to perform the “Final Submission.” This act locks the course list for the semester.

The “Green Card” or Registration Slip

Once the final submission is done, the portal will generate a Registration Slip (often color-coded). This slip must be printed in multiple copies (usually four) and taken to the following officers for physical signing:

• The Head of Department (HOD)

• The Faculty Officer

• The Dean of the School

• The Academic Office (Registrar’s Representative)

The registration is only considered “Complete” when these four signatures are obtained and the files are deposited at the various offices. A student who only registers online but fails to submit physical files is considered “Unregistered” and may not appear on the official examination attendance sheets.

Phase V: Essential Guidelines for a Smooth Process

To avoid the stress and long queues typically associated with the February registration window, students are encouraged to adopt the following strategies:

Avoid Third-Party Agents Many students fall victim to “Cafe Operators” or “Business Centre Agents” who claim they can “help” with registration. These agents often make mistakes in course codes or, worse, divert school fee money. Students are strongly advised to handle their portal login details personally. If you must use a cafe, ensure you are watching the screen as your data is entered.

Adherence to the Monday, 2nd February Start Date Starting on day one gives you a “buffer” to handle unforeseen issues, such as missing O’Level original certificates or bank network delays. Students who wait until the final week often face system downtimes as thousands of people try to access the portal simultaneously.

Proper Conduct and Punctuality Staff at the Schools and Departments will be dealing with a high volume of students. Maintaining a polite and organized queue system facilitates a faster process for everyone. Ensure you have all your documents neatly arranged in a plastic file jacket to avoid fumbling and wasting time at the screening desk.

Phase VI: Consequences of Non-Registration

The management has been clear: the registration exercise is time-bound. Once the portal closes, it will not be reopened except under extraordinary circumstances, and usually with a “Late Registration Fee” penalty.

A student who fails to register by the deadline faces the following risks:

1. Ineligibility for Lectures: Officially, only registered students are permitted in the lecture halls.

2. No Examination Access: Without a registration slip, you cannot generate an Examination Clearance Card.

3. Loss of Studentship: Prolonged failure to register is legally interpreted as a voluntary withdrawal from the institution.

4. NYSC Complications: For final-year students, errors in registration can lead to your name being omitted from the mobilization list for the National Youth Service Corps.

Conclusion

The 2025/2026 academic session promises to be a rigorous and rewarding one. However, the foundation of that success lies in the next few weeks of the registration exercise. By reporting to your respective Schools on Monday, 2nd February, 2026, and following the attached procedures diligently, you ensure that your academic journey starts on a solid administrative footing.

The Office of the Registrar and the various Faculty Officers are available to provide guidance. Your cooperation is the final ingredient needed for a successful, hitch-free exercise. Welcome to the new session!