The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has declared three days as lecture-free for all new undergraduate students of the 2025/2026 academic session. This move is aimed at allowing the fresh students to fully participate in the upcoming Matriculation Ceremony and Central University Orientation Programme.

The Matriculation Ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, followed by the Central University Orientation Programme, which will run from Wednesday, 18th to Thursday, 19th February 2026. As a result, lectures are suspended for fresh students on these dates. Both events will be held at the Mamman Kontagora Square, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria, commencing at 9:00 a.m. daily. Students are expected to be seated before the scheduled time.

For the matriculation, the use of an academic gown is mandatory. A Special Bulletin released on Monday, 9th February 2026 outlines the payment procedure for gown hiring and collection. To facilitate movement, university buses will be available to convey students from Kongo Campus to Samaru Campus by 8:00 a.m. and return them immediately after the day’s events. Deans of Faculties and Heads of Department have been urged to ensure strict compliance with the lecture-free directive for the affected students.