- Starting from Sept 2027
The Federal government has proposed a harmonised timetable for the 2027 external examinations, targeting the release of results by August to enable eligible candidates begin their admission processes into tertiary institutions by September.
The proposed calendar, which covers the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), is designed to improve coordination and preventing examination timetable clashes.
However, with the proposed examination calendar, such cases are expected to become a thing of the past.
The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, disclosed on Wednesday that the decision followed a meeting convened by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with heads and representatives of the examination bodies in Abuja.
According to her, the meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters, focused on aligning examination schedules, minimising timetable clashes and ensuring the timely processing and release of results.
She stated that the initiative was in line with the education reform agenda of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
“The meeting focused on aligning examination schedules, minimising timetable clashes, and ensuring the timely processing and release of results,” she stated.
The proposed timetable showed that the 2027 UTME conducted by JAMB, is scheduled to hold from 15 to 25 March, with results expected in the same month.
The NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is proposed to run from 1 April to 14 May, while the WAEC West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is scheduled for 11 May to 18 June. Results for both examinations are expected in August.
Similarly, NABTEB examinations are proposed to hold from 1 June to 5 July, while the NBAIS examination is scheduled for 10 June to 9 July, while results for both examinations are also expected to be released in August.
The proposed scheduled examination bodies on a common timeline intended to ensure that candidates obtain their results ahead of time to pursue admission opportunities for the 2027/2028 academic session.
The ministry said it would sustain engagements with the examination bodies to ensure compliance with the proposed timelines, strengthen accountability and align examination schedules and the release of results with tertiary admission processes.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to education reforms under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, saying the measures are intended to improve efficiency and expand timely access to tertiary education.