The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), through its Academic Registry, has released the official timetable of academic activities for the first quarter of the 2026 academic year. All students both returning and newly admitted are encouraged to review the outlined dates carefully to stay on track with registration, facilitation, and project-related requirements.

Admissions Portal Timeline

The university has confirmed that applications for admission will remain open throughout the year.

• Application Window: January 1 – December 31, 2026
  Prospective students can submit applications at any point within this period.

Course and Examination Registration

Registration for courses and examinations for the First Semester, 2026 is currently ongoing.

• Start Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
  
• Closing Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026
  

Students who fail to complete registration by the deadline risk losing access to semester examinations.

Project Submission and Virtual Defence Schedule

NOUN has also published a detailed timeline for project-related activities:

Virtual Defence (2025_1)

• Duration: January 5 – January 30, 2026
  

Project & Seminar Submissions (2025_2)

• Initial Submission Period: January 5 – February 7, 2026
  
• Continuous Submission Window: Opens Saturday, March 14, 2026
  

Virtual Defence (2025_2)

• First Phase: February 9 – February 28, 2026
  
• Second Phase: Begins Saturday, March 14, 2026

Teaching and Assessment Timeline

Online Course Facilitation

• Commences: Monday, February 2, 2026
  
• Ends: Sunday, April 5, 2026
  This covers an eight-week virtual teaching period.
  

Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)

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

Official University Events

The institution has scheduled key administrative and ceremonial engagements as follows:

• Policy and Operations Meetings: February 24–25, 2026
  
• Inaugural Lecture & Honorary Degree Sessions: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Important Advisory for Students

All registered students are strongly advised to finalize their course and examination registration on or before March 22, 2026. Missing this deadline may result in disqualification from participating in the first semester assessments.

Final Note

This calendar serves as a comprehensive guide for managing academic responsibilities in the first quarter of 2026. Students are encouraged to mark these dates, set reminders, and stay proactive to ensure a smooth and successful academic session at NOUN.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and best of luck in the new academic year.