NOUN Releases Approved 2026 Academic Calendar: Admission, Exams, Matriculation, Convocation and Results Dates Announced

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has officially released its approved 2026 academic calendar, detailing key academic activities for students, applicants, and staff across the year.

The calendar outlines admission application periods, course and examination registration, facilitation, Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs), project and seminar submissions (PAS), virtual defence and moderation exercises, examinations, matriculation, convocation ceremonies, and results release dates for the 2026 academic year.

According to the university, some activities are listed with a “possible duration” where specific dates were not provided in the official calendar extract. In such cases, the entries remain exactly as stated.

Below is a clear breakdown of the major highlights and month-by-month schedule for easy understanding, especially for prospective and returning students.

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Quick Highlights: NOUN 2026 Academic Year

Admission Window

• Admission applications: 1 January – 31 December 2026

Major Student Events

• Orientation:
  • Tuesday, 7 April 2026
  • Tuesday, 8 September 2026
• Matriculation:
  • Wednesday, 8 April 2026
  • Wednesday, 9 September 2026
• Convocation ceremonies:
  • Friday, 17 April and Saturday, 18 April 2026

Examinations

• 2026_1 Pen-on-Paper Exams: 21 April – 14 May 2026
• 2026_1 E-Exams/Marking: 19 May – 13 June 2026
• 2026_2 Pen-on-Paper Exams: 15 September – 9 October 2026
• 2026_2 E-Exams/Marking: 13 October – 5 November 2026

Results Release

• 2026_1 results: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
• 2026_2 results: Thursday, 26 November 2026

Detailed Breakdown of the 2026 NOUN Academic Calendar

January 2026

• Admission applications open: 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2026
• Completion of 2025_1 virtual defence/moderation
  • Possible duration: 2 weeks
  • Dates: 5 – 30 Jan 2026
• Registration of courses/exams (1st semester 2026)
  • Possible duration: 11 weeks
  • Dates: 5 Jan – 22 March 2026
• Opening of PAS for 2025_2 projects and seminars
  • Dates: 5 Jan – 7 Feb 2026

February 2026

• Facilitation of courses begins
  • Dates: 2 Feb – 5 April 2026
• First batch of 2025_2 virtual defence/moderation: 9 – 28 Feb
• Key meetings and lecture:
  • Operational meeting: 24 Feb
  • Academic Policy Committee: 25 Feb
  • Award of honorary degrees meeting: 26 Feb
  • Inaugural lecture: 26 Feb

March 2026

• 1st TMA: 2 – 15 March
• Opening of PAS (continuous submission for 2025_2): 14 – 31 March
• Second batch of 2025_2 virtual defence/moderation: Dates not stated
• 2nd TMA: 16 – 29 March
• Eid El-Fitr: 20 – 21 March
• SIWES: 23 March – 3 April
• Operational meeting: 24 March
• 3rd TMA: 30 March – 12 April

April 2026

• Good Friday: 3 April
• Easter Monday: 6 April
• Orientation: 7 April
• Matriculation: 8 April
• Convocation ceremonies: 17 – 18 April
• 2026_1 Pen-on-Paper Exams: 21 April – 14 May

May 2026

• Workers’ Day: 1 May
• 2026_1 E-Exams/Marking: 19 May – 13 June
• Id el Kabir: 27 – 28 May

June 2026

• PAS for 2026_1 projects/seminars: 1 – 20 June
• First batch of 2026_1 virtual defence/moderation: Dates not stated
• Democracy Day: 12 June
• Registration for 2nd semester 2026: 22 June – 5 October
• Release of 2026_1 results: 30 June

July 2026

• Facilitation commences: 13 July – 6 September
• 1st TMA: 27 July – 9 August

August 2026

• PAS (continuous submission for 2026_1): 1 – 15 August
• Second batch of 2026_1 virtual defence/moderation: Dates not stated
• 2nd TMA: 10 – 23 August
• SIWES: 24 August – 4 September
• Id el Maulud: 26 August

September 2026

• Orientation: 8 September
• Matriculation: 9 September
• 2026_2 Pen-on-Paper Exams: 15 Sept – 9 Oct
• Operational meeting: 22 September

October 2026

• National Day: 1 October
• PAS for 2026_2 projects/seminars: 5 – 24 October
• First batch of 2026_2 virtual defence/moderation: Dates not stated
• 2026_2 E-Exams/Marking: 13 Oct – 5 Nov

November 2026

• Operational meeting: 24 November
• Release of 2026_2 results: 26 November

December 2026

• PAS (continuous submission for 2026_2):
  • Possible duration: 5 weeks
  • Dates: Not stated

What This Means for Students

With admissions open throughout the year and clearly defined exam and result timelines, NOUN’s 2026 academic calendar gives students the flexibility and structure needed to plan studies, work, and personal commitments effectively.

Students are advised to bookmark key dates, especially for registration, TMAs, examinations, and results, and regularly check official NOUN channels for updates on activities with unstated dates.

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