The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has officially designated three days as lecture-free for all new undergraduate students of the 2025/2026 academic session. This administrative directive is intended to allow the newly admitted cohort to participate fully in the university's formal induction rites, which consist of the Matriculation Ceremony followed by the Central University Orientation Programme. According to a formal statement released by the university management, the Matriculation Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 17th February 2026. This significant academic milestone will be immediately followed by the Central University Orientation Programme, which is set to run from Wednesday, 18th February to Thursday, 19th February 2026.
As a direct consequence of these events, all lectures and formal academic assessments for fresh students are suspended during this three-day window. Both high-profile events will be hosted at the Mamman Kontagora Square, located at the ABU Main Campus in Samaru, Zaria. The daily proceedings are scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m., and the university management has emphasized that students are expected to be seated and orderly before the scheduled start time to ensure a hitch-free ceremony.
A central requirement for the matriculation ceremony is the mandatory use of official academic gowns. The university issued a Special Bulletin on Monday, 9th February 2026, which outlines the specific payment procedures for gown hiring. Undergraduates are required to pay a non-refundable hiring fee of ₦3,000. All payments must be processed via the Remita platform by generating a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) under the service name "COGCC" and the description "Hiring of Academic Gown." Once payment is completed, students must present their Remita receipt at their respective Faculty Offices or the Cash Office in the Senate Building to obtain an official university receipt, which is required for gown collection.
To assist students residing at the Kongo Campus, the university has made specialized transportation arrangements. University buses will be available to convey students from the Kongo Campus to the Samaru Campus, departing at 8:00 a.m. daily. These buses will also be stationed to return students to their respective campuses immediately following the conclusion of each day's events. This provision is part of the university's effort to ensure that the multi-campus nature of the institution does not hinder any student's ability to participate in these foundational activities.
The Directorate of Academic Affairs, through the Special Bulletin, has urged all Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments to ensure strict compliance with the lecture-free directive. Faculty officers are also tasked with overseeing the orderly distribution and return of academic gowns, which must be returned in good condition to avoid penalties. The orientation sessions following the matriculation are designed to provide freshers with vital information regarding university regulations, security, health services, and academic success strategies, effectively "onboarding" them into the ABU community.
The university management congratulates all new students on their formal induction into the "Naturally Ahead" institution and wishes them a successful and rewarding academic experience. Students are encouraged to use these lecture-free days to bond with their peers and fully absorb the institutional values that will be shared by the university leadership during the orientation sessions.