The Federal Government has proposed a harmonised timetable for Nigeria’s major external examinations in 2027, targeting the release of results by August to enable eligible candidates to begin tertiary admission processes in September.
The proposed schedule covers examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).
Under the arrangement, candidates sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are expected to write their examinations between 15 and 25 March 2027, with results scheduled for release in the same month.
NECO’s Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is proposed for 1 April to 14 May, while WAEC’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is scheduled for 11 May to 18 June. Results for both examinations are targeted for release in August.
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) is expected to conduct its examinations from 1 June to 5 July, while the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) is scheduled to hold its examinations from 10 June to 9 July. Results for both examinations are also expected in August.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the proposed timetable in a press release dated 14 October 2026, following a meeting between the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and heads and representatives of examination bodies at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the ministry, the meeting focused on aligning examination schedules, minimising timetable clashes, and ensuring the timely processing and release of results.
The initiative forms part of the education reform agenda of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
The government said the reform was designed to improve coordination among examination bodies, strengthen accountability and ensure that candidates could proceed to tertiary education without unnecessary delays caused by late results.
The proposed arrangement could help candidates planning to enter universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the 2027/2028 academic session by reducing uncertainty over examination dates and results.
The move comes as JAMB has already announced adjustments to the 2027 UTME’s first-session arrival and examination times, citing safety and logistical concerns affecting candidates who travel long distances to their examination centres.
In September, the board said candidates for the first session would be expected to arrive at their designated computer-based test centres by 7.30 a.m., rather than 6.30 a.m. The examination would begin at 8.30 am and end at 10.30 a.m.
However, the dates announced by the Ministry of Education remain proposed dates, rather than a substitute for the final examination timetables to be issued by the respective examination bodies.
The ministry said it would continue engaging the examination bodies to ensure compliance with the proposed timelines and better coordination between examinations, results releases and tertiary admissions.
It also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to education reforms under NESRI, with the stated aim of improving efficiency and expanding timely access to tertiary education.
The press release was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
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