The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has officially published its provisional academic calendar for the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session. The calendar, which was released by the university’s management, covers a wide range of academic and administrative activities including resumption, registration, orientation, continuous assessments, matriculation, convocation, and examinations. Students across all campuses are urged to strictly adhere to the outlined dates as they serve as the official guide for the semester.
The new calendar kicks off on 29th September 2025 with the arrival of fresh students who are expected to complete their online fee payments and commence registration. On the same day, departmental board meetings will be held to deliberate on the results of the 2024/2025 second semester. This will be followed by faculty board meetings on 30th September 2025, while a national holiday on 1st October 2025 and a Senate meeting on 2nd October 2025 will officially set the academic tone for the semester.
By 6th October 2025, returning students are expected back on campus as registration continues. Lectures for both fresh and old students are scheduled to begin on 7th October 2025, marking the true start of academic activities. The momentum of classes will continue through 10th October 2025, with the institution aiming to ensure that students settle quickly into the new academic rhythm.
Weeks three and four of the calendar, spanning 13th to 24th October 2025, will focus on uninterrupted lectures and ongoing registration across faculties. Students are expected to engage fully with lectures during this period while still completing necessary administrative formalities. This period allows for both academic and administrative balance as the semester gains traction.
From 27th October to 7th November 2025, the academic environment will be dominated by lectures across all departments and faculties. The highlight of this phase is the Inaugural Lecture scheduled for 6th November 2025, a prestigious academic tradition of the university that provides intellectual stimulation and scholarly discourse for staff and students.
The eighth week beginning 10th November 2025 marks the commencement of late registration. Alongside this, the first continuous assessment for all students will take place between 10th and 14th November 2025. These assessments are designed to evaluate students’ grasp of their courses early enough in the semester to ensure they are on track academically.
The calendar also makes provision for student orientation. Freshmen at the Calabar Campus will have their orientation on 17th November 2025, while those at the Okuku and Ogoja Campuses will have theirs on 18th November 2025. Lectures continue in full force during this period, with late registration officially closing on 21st November 2025.
In week ten, governance and administration once again take centre stage with departmental board meetings on 24th November, faculty board meetings on 25th November, and a Senate meeting on 27th November 2025. Academic activities proceed alongside these meetings, reinforcing the seamless integration of governance and learning at UNICROSS.
The period between 1st and 5th December 2025 marks the second continuous assessment, ensuring students’ performance is evaluated progressively. Classes will proceed normally through 8th to 12th December 2025, while matriculation ceremonies for new intakes will hold on 9th December at Calabar Campus and 10th December at Ogoja and Okuku Campuses. These events officially welcome new students into the UNICROSS academic community.
As the semester advances towards its climax, 15th to 19th December 2025 will see lectures continue, but with added significance as the Convocation Lecture is scheduled for 18th December, followed by the Undergraduate Convocation on 19th December 2025. Postgraduate convocation will take place the next day, 20th December 2025, after which students will proceed on the Christmas and New Year break.
Academic activities resume on 5th January 2026 with revision week and the reopening of the portal for late payments. Departmental, faculty, and Senate meetings are slated for 6th, 7th, and 8th January 2026 respectively, while 9th January 2026 is fixed as the final deadline for late fee payment and registration. This ensures all students are financially and administratively cleared before examinations commence.
Examinations will be staged in phases: final-year students will sit for their papers between 12th and 16th January 2026, while other students will begin their examinations from 19th January to 4th February 2026. The schedule is designed to give priority to graduating students while still accommodating the wider student population. Notably, 4th February 2026 will also feature another Inaugural Lecture, followed by Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for 100-level students on 5th and 6th February 2026.
The release of this academic calendar reflects UNICROSS’s commitment to structured academic delivery, timely evaluations, and holistic student development. From resumption and registration to assessments, matriculation, convocation, and examinations, every activity has been carefully aligned to ensure students maximize the semester. The university management has therefore called on students and staff to follow the calendar strictly, emphasizing that adherence will help maintain academic order, prevent disruptions, and guarantee timely graduation cycles.
