The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, has officially released the approved academic calendar for all full-time undergraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic session.

This announcement marks the beginning of another academic year at one of Nigeria’s most prestigious federal universities, setting the pace for a well-structured and uninterrupted session aimed at ensuring smooth academic operations for both staff and students.

According to the official schedule approved by the Senate of the University, the new session will span 15 weeks per semester, with clearly outlined timelines for registration, lectures, examinations, and breaks.

First Semester Activities

The 2025/2026 academic session begins officially on Monday, 10th November 2025, with the commencement of online clearance and registration for all newly admitted students. During this period, fresh students are expected to complete their verification, pay their required fees, and upload all relevant admission documents through the university’s online portal.

By Sunday, 16th November 2025, newly admitted students, also known as “freshers,” will be allowed into the halls of residence. This step signifies their formal integration into the campus environment.

Course registration for both fresh and returning students will begin on Thursday, 20th November 2025, and will run for a total of six weeks. Students are strongly advised to take note of this period to avoid the penalties associated with late registration.

Lectures across all faculties will commence on Monday, 24th November 2025. The university will then host its official orientation programme for new students on Wednesday, 17th December 2025, where freshers will be properly introduced to the rules, regulations, and culture of the University of Benin.

Academic activities will pause briefly on Monday, 22nd December 2025, as students go down for the Christmas and New Year break. They are expected to return to campus on Sunday, 4th January 2026, while lectures resume immediately on Monday, 5th January 2026, and continue through Friday, 6th March 2026.

A revision week is scheduled from Monday, 9th March to Friday, 13th March 2026, giving students time to prepare adequately for the semester’s examinations.

The first semester examinations are set to begin on Monday, 16th March 2026, in various faculties. The CED (Centre for Entrepreneurship Development) examinations will take place on Saturday, 21st March 2026, followed by examinations in other faculties, schools, and institutes from Monday, 23rd March to Thursday, 2nd April 2026.

The first semester break begins on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, marking the end of the semester and allowing students to rest and recharge for the next academic phase.

Second Semester Activities

The second semester officially begins on Sunday, 12th April 2026, when students are expected to return to their hostels. Lectures across all faculties will resume the next day, Monday, 13th April 2026.

Lectures for the second semester will continue for 15 weeks, ending on Friday, 10th July 2026. The revision week follows immediately, from Monday, 13th to Friday, 17th July 2026, while faculty examinations commence on Monday, 20th July 2026.

The CED examinations are scheduled for Saturday, 25th July 2026, followed by the continuation of other examinations from Monday, 27th July to Friday, 7th August 2026.

Students will then sit for their General Studies (GST) examinations on Saturday, 8th August 2026, bringing the semester and session to a close on Sunday, 9th August 2026, when all students are expected to vacate their hostels.

The marking and grading of examination scripts will take place between Monday, 10th August and Monday, 24th August 2026. Thereafter, the Departmental Boards of Examiners will convene from Monday, 31st August to Monday, 7th September 2026, to review and release provisional results.

This will be followed by the Faculty Boards of Studies, which will meet from Monday, 7th to Monday, 14th September 2026, to further consider results. The Business Committee of Senate will then review all results from Monday, 14th to Friday, 18th September 2026, while the Senate meeting to approve final year results and commence online registration for the 2026/2027 academic session is scheduled for Monday, 21st September 2026.

Public Holidays and Observances

The university calendar also accommodates all major national holidays and religious observances during the academic session.

• 25th–26th December 2025: Christmas Break

• 1st January 2026: New Year’s Day

• 20th March 2026: Eid El-Fitr

• 3rd April 2026: Good Friday

• 6th April 2026: Easter Monday

• 1st May 2026: Workers’ Day

• 27th–28th May 2026: Id El-Kabir

• 12th June 2026: Democracy Day

• 17th June 2026: Al-Hijra

• 26th August 2026: Id El-Maulud

• 1st October 2026: Independence Day

Students and staff are advised to take note of these public holidays, as no lectures or examinations will hold on the specified dates.

University’s Advisory to Students

In releasing the calendar, the University of Benin management urged all students to strictly adhere to the dates and deadlines outlined. It emphasized that failure to comply with registration schedules, lecture attendance, or examination rules may attract academic penalties.

Students are also encouraged to maintain discipline, uphold the university’s core values, and actively participate in academic and extracurricular activities that contribute to their holistic development.

The management reiterated its commitment to providing an enabling environment for quality education, innovation, and research while assuring students and staff of its dedication to maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar.

Conclusion

With the release of the 2025/2026 academic calendar, the University of Benin has demonstrated its preparedness for a productive and well-coordinated academic year. The detailed schedule provides students, staff, and the entire university community with a clear roadmap for the year’s activities, ensuring smooth academic operations and effective planning.

As UNIBEN continues to uphold its legacy as one of Nigeria’s most reputable universities, students are urged to embrace diligence, discipline, and commitment throughout the new academic session.