National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Releases 2026 First Quarter Academic Calendar

The Office of the Registrar (Academic Registry) of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has officially published the academic calendar for the first quarter of 2026, providing students and prospective applicants with key dates and deadlines to guide their academic planning.

The portal is open from January 1st to December 31st, 2026, covering the entire academic year.

Registration for the 1st Semester 2026 Academic Session commenced on Monday, January 5th, and will close on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026. Students are strongly advised to complete registration on time to avoid restrictions on exam participation.

Project Submissions and Virtual Defences:

• 2025_1 Virtual Defence/Moderation: January 5th – January 30th, 2026
• 2025_2 Project Submission: January 5th – Saturday, February 7th, 2026
• Continuous 2025_2 Project Submission: Opens Saturday, March 14th, 2026
• 2025_2 Virtual Defence:
  • First Batch: February 9th – February 28th, 2026
  • Second Batch: Begins Saturday, March 14th, 2026

Online course facilitation for the semester starts Monday, February 2nd, running for 8 weeks and ending Sunday, April 5th, 2026.

Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs):

• 1st TMA: March 2nd – March 15th, 2026
• 2nd TMA: March 16th – March 29th, 2026

Key Institutional Events:

• Operational & Policy Meetings: February 24th – 25th, 2026
• Inaugural Lecture & Honorary Degree Meetings: Thursday, February 26th, 2026

All students are encouraged to complete their course registration before March 22nd, 2026, to ensure eligibility for 1st Semester examinations.

This calendar provides a comprehensive guide for NOUN students to plan their academic activities efficiently, ensuring compliance with institutional deadlines and participation in all scheduled academic events.