Federal Government Proposes 2027 Exam Dates and Requirements

The Federal Government has announced proposed dates for major national examinations in 2027, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the senior secondary school certificate examinations conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This proposal emerged from a meeting held on September 30, 2026, between the Minister of State for Education and representatives from examination bodies and private schools, with the communiqué signed by Dr Bukola Dosunmu, Coordinator of the FME-Government Private Sector Working Group.

The proposed schedule indicates that the 2027 UTME, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is set for March 15 to 25, 2027, with results expected in March. NECO's Senior School Certificate Examination is proposed from April 1 to May 14, 2027, while WAEC's examination is scheduled for May 11 to June 18, 2027, with results anticipated in August 2027.

Additionally, schools must ensure at least 75% of their teachers are licensed under the Teachers Registration Number system by December 11, 2026, to qualify as examination centers.