The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has officially released its detailed academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic session for all full-time undergraduate programmes. This comprehensive calendar outlines the schedule of academic activities for both new and returning students, including the dates for lectures, examinations, breaks, and key administrative exercises.
The release of the calendar comes as part of the university’s commitment to maintaining an organized academic system that ensures a smooth and productive session for students and staff alike.
UNIBEN Academic Calendar 2025/2026: Key Highlights
The academic year is structured into two semesters, each lasting 15 weeks, with specific timelines for lectures, revision, examinations, and holidays.
Below is the full breakdown of the University of Benin’s 2025/2026 academic calendar:
First Semester (15 Weeks)
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday, November 10, 2025 | Commencement of online clearance and registration for newly admitted students. |
| Sunday, November 16, 2025 | Fresh students move into hostels. |
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Course registration begins (to run for 6 weeks). |
| Monday, November 24, 2025 | Lectures begin for all faculties. |
| Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | Orientation of newly admitted students. |
| Monday, December 22, 2025 | Students vacate hostels for Christmas and New Year break. |
| Sunday, January 4, 2026 | Students return to campus/hostels. |
| Monday, January 5 – Friday, March 6, 2026 | Lectures continue across all departments and faculties. |
| Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13, 2026 | Revision week for all students. |
| Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20, 2026 | Examinations begin across faculties. |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026 | CED (Entrepreneurship) examinations. |
| Monday, March 23 – Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Examinations continue across all faculties, schools, and institutes. |
| Thursday, April 2, 2026 | End of first semester; students vacate hostels for semester break. |
Second Semester (15 Weeks)
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Students return to hostels to resume academic activities. |
| Monday, April 13, 2026 | Lectures begin for all students. |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 | End of lectures. |
| Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17, 2026 | Revision week. |
| Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24, 2026 | Faculty examinations begin. |
| Saturday, July 25, 2026 | CED (Entrepreneurship) examinations. |
| Monday, July 27 – Friday, August 7, 2026 | Examinations continue in all faculties and departments. |
| Saturday, August 8, 2026 | GST examinations. |
| Sunday, August 9, 2026 | End of academic session; students vacate hostels. |
| Monday, August 10 – Monday, August 24, 2026 | Marking and grading of examination scripts. |
| Monday, August 31 – Monday, September 7, 2026 | Departmental boards of examiners meet to consider and release provisional results. |
| Monday, September 7 – Monday, September 14, 2026 | Faculty boards of studies consider results. |
| Monday, September 14 – Friday, September 18, 2026 | Business Committee of Senate considers results. |
| Monday, September 21, 2026 | Senate meeting to consider final-year results and commencement of online registration for the 2026/2027 session. |
Public Holidays During the Academic Year
The University of Benin also outlined public holidays to be observed during the session to avoid clashes with academic activities.
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| December 25–26, 2025 | Christmas Holiday |
| January 1, 2026 | New Year’s Day |
| March 20, 2026 | Eid-El-Fitr |
| April 3, 2026 | Good Friday |
| April 6, 2026 | Easter Monday |
| May 1, 2026 | Workers’ Day |
| May 27–28, 2026 | Eid-El-Kabir |
| June 12, 2026 | Democracy Day |
| June 17, 2026 | Al-Hijra |
| August 26, 2026 | Eid-El-Maulud |
| October 1, 2026 | Independence Day |
A Well-Structured and Balanced Academic Plan
The 2025/2026 academic calendar reflects UNIBEN’s dedication to academic stability and timely completion of each semester. The schedule allows adequate time for registration, lectures, examinations, and breaks, helping students plan their academic activities effectively.
The early release of the calendar is particularly beneficial for both new and returning students as it provides a clear roadmap for the upcoming session. It enables students to prepare for resumption, avoid registration rush, and align their travel or accommodation plans accordingly.
Advice to Students
All students, especially freshers, are encouraged to:
- Complete their online registration and clearance on time.
- Pay all necessary fees before the closure of the registration portal.
- Attend orientation programs and other official activities as scheduled.
- Strictly adhere to all academic timelines to avoid any form of penalty or delay.
Students should also keep track of official university communications, as minor date adjustments may occur due to national holidays or unforeseen circumstances.
UNIBEN’s Commitment to Academic Excellence
The University of Benin remains one of Nigeria’s leading institutions renowned for its structured academic system, discipline, and consistent adherence to academic calendars. The administration’s commitment to releasing the calendar early underscores its effort to maintain a stable and predictable academic environment that fosters learning and research excellence.
