When Is School Resuming for the 2026/2027 Session in Nigeria?

This is the question on the lips of millions of students, parents, and teachers across Nigeria right now. The 2025/2026 academic session is currently wrapping up its third term — and eyes are already turning to when schools will reopen for the fresh 2026/2027 session.

As of June 2026, the Federal Ministry of Education has not yet officially released the full academic calendar for the 2026/2027 session. This is normal — the calendar is typically announced in August or September, just before the new session begins. What we can do right now is look at the established pattern and give you the most accurate projections based on how the ministry has structured calendars in recent years.

> This page will be updated the moment official dates are announced. Bookmark it.

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How the Nigerian School Calendar Works

Nigeria's primary and secondary school system runs on a three-term structure:

• First Term — typically September to mid-December
• Second Term — typically January to mid-April
• Third Term — typically May to late July

The Federal Ministry of Education sets the national calendar, which all unity schools (Federal Government Colleges) are required to follow. State governments also follow federal guidelines in most cases, though they retain the right to adjust dates based on local circumstances. Private schools set their own calendars but typically align closely with the national calendar.

For universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the semester system applies — with first semester typically running September to February and second semester from February to July.

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Expected First Term Resumption Date — 2026/2027

Based on the pattern established in the 2025/2026 academic calendar, here is what to expect:

The 2025/2026 academic calendar had First Term running from Monday, 15th September 2025 to Friday, 19th December 2025.

Following this pattern, the projected first term resumption date for the 2026/2027 academic session is Monday, 14th September 2026 for most public primary and secondary schools. Unity schools (Federal Government Colleges) typically resume a day earlier — boarding students on Sunday and day students on Monday.

> Important: This is a projection based on historical pattern. The official date will be confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education, likely in August 2026. Always verify with your school's administration and your state Ministry of Education.

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Full Projected 2026/2027 Academic Calendar

First Term | Milestone | Projected Date | |---|---| | Resumption | Monday, 14th September 2026 | | Mid-term break | Late October 2026 | | Closing | Friday, 18th December 2026 |

Second Term | Milestone | Projected Date | |---|---| | Resumption | Monday, 11th January 2027 | | Mid-term break | Late February / early March 2027 | | Closing | Friday, 16th April 2027 |

Third Term | Milestone | Projected Date | |---|---| | Resumption | Monday, 3rd May 2027 | | Closing | Friday, 23rd July 2027 |

> These dates are projections. The Federal Ministry will confirm official dates. Check this page for updates once the announcement is made.

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Unity Schools (Federal Government Colleges) Resumption

Unity schools — the 104 Federal Government Colleges spread across Nigeria — follow the federal academic calendar strictly.

Key things to know about unity school resumption:

• Military primary and secondary schools follow the same resumption dates as other federal government schools
• Boarding students are always required to resume on the Sunday preceding the official Monday resumption date
• All parents and guardians are to take note of resumption dates on behalf of their wards
• Full academic work is expected to commence from the first day — not after the first week

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State-by-State Resumption: What to Know

While the Federal Ministry sets the national date, each state has the authority to adjust slightly.

Lagos State Lagos State usually follows the federal academic calendar closely. Expect first term 2026/2027 resumption in mid-September 2026. Check the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for the official circular.

Abuja (FCT) FCT schools typically resume in sync with the national federal directive. Expect mid-September 2026 for public schools.

Oyo State Oyo State education authorities align with the federal calendar. Ibadan schools — both public and private — typically resume the same week as the national date.

Rivers State Rivers State schools follow the federal pattern with minor adjustments. Expect mid-September 2026.

Kano State Northern states sometimes adjust calendar dates slightly to accommodate local religious observances but generally stay close to the federal calendar.

Ogun State Ogun State is typically early to mid-September for first term resumption, aligned with the national calendar.

> For your specific state, visit your state Ministry of Education's website or follow their official social media accounts for the confirmed calendar circular.

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University Resumption Date for 2026/2027

For federal and state universities, the situation is slightly different. University resumption dates are set by individual institutions based on their academic calendars — and can be affected by ASUU activities.

For most federal universities, expect:

• First semester resumption: September or October 2026
• Second semester resumption: February or March 2027

Individual university academic calendars will be published on each institution's official website. If you are a new student waiting for your admission to be finalized, check your JAMB CAPS regularly for updates and monitor your institution's official portal.

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What to Do While Waiting for the Official Date

Resumption is coming — and the students who use the break wisely arrive back to school ahead of the rest. Here's what to do right now:

• Confirm your admission status on JAMB CAPS if you're a new student
• Sort out your hostel or accommodation before the rush — good rooms fill up fast once resumption dates drop
• Stock up on textbooks, past questions and stationery while prices are lower before the back-to-school rush
• Complete any outstanding fees — school fees, acceptance fees, and hostel fees should be paid before resumption where possible

Students heading back to campus can find affordable textbooks, past questions, and hostel essentials from verified sellers on ShopCart.ng. Sellers are campus-based, so items are available right where you need them.

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How to Get Official Confirmation of Resumption Dates

Don't rely on WhatsApp forwards or unverified blogs for your resumption date:

• Visit the Federal Ministry of Education official website at education.gov.ng
• Follow your State Ministry of Education on social media — they post official circulars
• Check your school's official website or notice board
• Monitor JAMB's website at jamb.gov.ng for university-related updates
• Bookmark this page — we update it as soon as official announcements are made

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is school resuming for 2026/2027 in Nigeria? The official date has not yet been announced by the Federal Ministry of Education as of June 2026. Based on historical patterns, first term 2026/2027 is projected to begin in mid-September 2026 — likely around Monday, 14th September 2026. This page will be updated once confirmed.

When will Federal Government Colleges resume for 2026/2027? Unity schools follow the federal academic calendar. Based on the established pattern, they are expected to resume mid-September 2026 for the first term. Boarding students will resume on the Sunday preceding the official date.

Is the 2026/2027 school calendar out? Not yet as of June 2026. The Federal Ministry of Education typically releases the new academic calendar in August, ahead of September resumption. Check education.gov.ng for the official release.

Does the federal resumption date apply to private schools? The date set by the federal government may not be binding on private schools. Private schools set their own calendars, though most align closely with the national dates. Confirm directly with your school.

When do universities resume for 2026/2027? Federal universities typically resume in September or October 2026 for first semester. Individual institutions set their own dates — check your university's official portal.

What is the school resumption date for Lagos 2026/2027? Lagos State typically follows the federal academic calendar. Expect mid-September 2026. The official circular from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education will confirm the exact date.

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