The University of Jos (UNIJOS) has officially released its approved academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session, providing a clear roadmap for both new and returning undergraduate students. The calendar, issued through the Directorate of Academic Planning and Management, outlines all key academic activities—from registration and lectures to examinations, breaks, and the start of the next academic year. With the release of this calendar, students can adequately plan their schedules, understand expectations, and prepare ahead for a smooth and successful academic session.

This comprehensive write-up explains all the major activities in the calendar in a simple and detailed manner to help every student, parent, or stakeholder understand what the session will look like. Whether you are a fresh student preparing to join the university for the first time or a returning student gearing up for another academic year, this expanded version will give you the full picture.

1. Introduction to the 2025/2026 Academic Calendar

Every academic year at the University of Jos begins with the release of the official academic calendar. This document is extremely important because it guides students and staff on all school activities throughout the session. It spells out when registration begins, when lectures start, when breaks occur, and when examinations will hold. It also helps students plan their academic and personal lives more effectively.

For the 2025/2026 session, the calendar shows a well-structured academic year divided into two semesters—First Semester and Second Semester—followed by staff leave and the transition into the next academic year.

2. First Semester Activities

The First Semester for the 2025/2026 academic session has a packed but well-organized schedule. It begins with online registration and continues with lectures, Christmas break, examinations, and result submissions.

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

A. Registration for New and Returning Students

Registration is the first and most important step for every student at the beginning of a new session.

• New Students Registration Begins:
  Monday, November 17, 2025

  This marks the official opening for all newly admitted students to commence their online registration. At this stage, freshers will be required to log into the university portal, update their bio-data, pay relevant fees, and complete all necessary documentation.

• Returning Students Registration Begins:
  Monday, November 24, 2025

  One week after new students begin, returning undergraduate students are expected to start their own registration. All students are encouraged to register on time to avoid penalties and unnecessary delays.

B. Commencement of Lectures

• Lectures Begin:
  Monday, December 1, 2025

By this date, both new and returning students are expected to have settled down, attended orientation (if applicable), and prepared for academic work. Lectures will run throughout December until the Christmas break.

C. Late Registration Period

Not every student completes their registration early, and for this reason, the school allocates a late registration window.

• Late Registration:
  Monday, December 8 – Friday, December 12, 2025

Students who fail to register within the normal time frame can still complete their registration during this period, though usually with penalties or extra charges. The university advises students to avoid late registration to prevent unnecessary stress.

D. Christmas and New Year Break

• Break Begins: Monday, December 22, 2025

• Break Ends: Friday, January 2, 2026

This two-week holiday gives students and staff time to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities with their families. It also allows students to rest before lectures resume.

• Lectures Resume:
  Monday, January 5, 2026

E. Matriculation Ceremony

• Matriculation Day:
  Thursday, January 15, 2026

Matriculation is one of the most important events for new students. It marks their formal admission into the university. On this day, students take the matriculation oath, officially confirming their acceptance of university rules and becoming recognized members of the academic community.

F. First Semester Examinations

• Exams Begin: Monday, March 9, 2026

• Exams End: Saturday, March 28, 2026

This three-week examination period will test students’ understanding of the courses they have taken. Students are usually advised to begin revising early, attend revision classes, and maintain good academic discipline to avoid stress during exam time.

G. Submission of First Semester Results

• Results Submission:
  Monday, March 30 – Saturday, April 18, 2026

During this time, lecturers are expected to mark scripts, compile results, and submit them to the departments and faculties. This ensures that results can be processed and released to students as soon as possible.

H. Official End of First Semester

• First Semester Ends:
  Friday, May 8, 2026

By this date, all activities for the First Semester come to a close. Students may use the short break that follows to rest and prepare for the Second Semester.

3. Second Semester Activities

The Second Semester begins shortly after the First Semester results submission period. It includes lectures, examinations, industrial attachment periods, and student assessments.

A. Second Semester Commencement

• Lectures Begin:
  Monday, April 20, 2026

This may overlap slightly with First Semester result submission, but such overlap is common in academic institutions. Students must return early to meet up with lectures and avoid falling behind.

B. Duration of Lectures

Lectures for the Second Semester will run from April 20 to Saturday, July 11, 2026, giving students ample time to cover their courses before examinations start.

C. Second Semester Examinations

• Exam Start Date: Monday, July 13, 2026

• Exam End Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026

Just like in the First Semester, students must prepare adequately. This is the final exam for the session, and performance here determines promotion to the next level.

D. Submission of Second Semester Results

• Results Compilation:
  Monday, August 3 – Saturday, August 22, 2026

Lecturers will gather all scripts, compile results, and ensure every student’s performance is recorded correctly.

E. Academic Staff Leave

• Staff Leave Period:
  Monday, August 24 – Sunday, October 4, 2026

This six-week break allows academic staff time to rest, conduct research, attend conferences, and prepare for the next academic session. It is also a quiet period for the university community.

F. Industrial Attachment

• Industrial Attachment Ends:
  Saturday, September 26, 2026

Students in certain programmes, especially in sciences, agriculture, engineering, and social sciences, often undergo SIWES or industrial training. This date marks the official end of the attachment period.

4. Beginning of the 2026/2027 Academic Session

• New Session Begins:
  Monday, October 5, 2026

By early October, students will begin the next academic session. This marks the start of fresh activities, new registrations, new courses, and new academic goals.

5. Why This Calendar Matters for Students

A well-organized academic calendar like the one released by UNIJOS helps students in many ways:

A. Better Planning

Students can plan their studies, businesses, travel, and personal activities around the key dates.

B. Improved Academic Performance

Knowing exam dates early allows students to plan revision early.

C. Reduces Stress

When expectations are clear, students experience less anxiety.

D. Time Management

Students balance school, work, extracurriculars, and social life more efficiently.

6. Conclusion

The University of Jos has demonstrated strong administrative planning by releasing a detailed and structured academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session. With precise dates for registration, lectures, examinations, breaks, and next session resumption, students now have a clear direction for the entire academic year.

All students—both new and returning—are encouraged to study the calendar carefully, plan ahead, and avoid unnecessary delays. Proper preparation and adherence to the schedule will help ensure a smooth, successful, and stress-free academic experience.