The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT/MIS) at Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has officially launched a vital technical onboarding program for the 2025/2026 academic session. In a circular dated February 13, 2026, the university administration underscored the necessity of this exercise to bridge the digital divide for newly admitted students. This initiative is twofold, comprising a comprehensive Student Portal Orientation and a simulated Computer-Based Test (CBT) Mock Examination.

The program is designed to ensure that every “fresher” transitions smoothly into the university’s digital ecosystem. By participating, students move from being provisional candidates to digitally literate members of the TSU academic community, capable of managing their academic records and performing efficiently during high-stakes electronic assessments.

Schedule and Venue Logistics

The exercise is strategically timed to occur before the commencement of major first-semester continuous assessments. The ICT/MIS Directorate has allocated a three-day window to accommodate the large influx of new students across all faculties.

• Dates: Tuesday, February 17, to Thursday, February 19, 2026.

• Operating Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.

• Location: University CBT Centre, Main Campus, Jalingo.

To maintain order and ensure that every student receives hands-on attention, the university has implemented a faculty-based batching system. Students are strictly advised to check their departmental notice boards or official faculty WhatsApp groups for their specific time slots. Arriving outside of your allocated batch time may result in being denied entry to the CBT Centre due to capacity constraints.

Phase 1: Student Portal Orientation

The first segment of the program focuses on the TSU Student Portal, which acts as the primary interface between the student and the university administration. Mastery of this portal is essential for academic survival and administrative compliance.

During the orientation, ICT experts will guide students through several critical functionalities:

• Profile Management: How to upload a formal passport photograph and update personal bio-data to ensure that certificates and ID cards are issued with correct information.

• Course Registration: The step-by-step process of selecting courses, verifying credit units, and printing out official course forms for departmental signing.

• Fee Payment Verification: Understanding how to link Remita payment receipts to the portal to confirm “Paid” status, which is a prerequisite for examination clearance.

• Result Checking: Navigating the portal to view semester grades and track Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) progress throughout their stay in the university.

Phase 2: CBT Mock Examination

The second segment involves a live simulation of the university’s examination environment. For many students, the transition from paper-based secondary school exams to university-level Computer-Based Testing can be daunting. The mock exam serves as a “no-stakes” practice run to eliminate technical anxiety.

Key areas covered during the mock exam include:

• Login Credentials: Practicing the use of Matriculation Numbers or JAMB Registration Numbers as unique identifiers to access the exam software.

• Navigation Tools: Learning how to use the “Next,” “Previous,” and “Submit” buttons, as well as how to flag questions for review.

• Time Management: Observing the digital countdown timer on the screen to understand how the system automatically submits scripts once the duration expires.

• Technical Troubleshooting: What to do in the event of a system hang, power fluctuation, or mouse malfunction during a live exam.

Mandatory Participation and Student Conduct

The ICT/MIS Directorate has emphasized that this exercise is not optional. The university’s move toward a fully digitized academic process means that students who miss this orientation may face significant hurdles during the actual examination period.

Students are expected to arrive at the CBT Centre with their Admission Letters and a valid means of identification. Strict adherence to the instructions of the ICT proctors is required. Mobile phones, programmable calculators, and other unauthorized electronic gadgets are prohibited inside the CBT hall to maintain a professional examination atmosphere.

The management of Taraba State University remains committed to providing a conducive learning environment powered by modern technology. For any students encountering specific portal errors—such as “Invalid User” messages or missing course codes—the ICT/MIS Directorate Complex will remain open for one-on-one consultations following the conclusion of the daily batch sessions.