The Lagos State Government has officially approved a harmonised academic calendar for the 2026-2027 session, applicable to both public and private primary and secondary schools across the state. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a press briefing in Ikeja on Thursday.
Key Dates and Term Structure
According to the approved calendar, the first term will commence on September 14, 2026, and end on December 18, 2026, with a mid-term break scheduled from October 26 to October 28, 2026. Students will enjoy a Christmas break from December 19, 2026, to January 4, 2027.
The second term begins on January 5, 2027, and concludes on April 9, 2027. A mid-term break is slated for February 22 to February 24, 2027. The Easter break will run from April 10 to April 18, 2027.
Third term activities will start on April 19, 2027, and end on July 23, 2027, with a mid-term break from June 7 to June 9, 2027. The academic session will officially close on July 23, 2027.
Examination Periods
The calendar also outlines examination schedules. First term examinations are set for December 7 to December 11, 2026; second term exams from March 29 to April 2, 2027; and third term exams from July 12 to July 16, 2027. The Lagos State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 students will hold from June 14 to June 23, 2027.
Compliance and Monitoring
Commissioner Alli-Balogun emphasised that all schools, whether public or private, must adhere strictly to the harmonised calendar. “Any school operating outside this approved timeline will face sanctions,” he warned. He added that the government will deploy monitoring teams to ensure compliance across the state.
The harmonisation effort aims to reduce confusion among parents and guardians, streamline academic activities, and ensure that students in Lagos follow a unified schedule. The commissioner also urged school proprietors to plan their academic programmes in line with the calendar to avoid disruptions.
Impact on Stakeholders
Parents and guardians have welcomed the move, noting that it eases planning for family holidays and tuition payments. “This harmonised calendar helps us prepare better financially and logistically,” said Mrs. Funke Adeyemi, a parent of two pupils in Surulere.
Private school operators, however, expressed mixed reactions. While some appreciate the standardisation, others worry about reduced flexibility for school-specific programmes. The Lagos State Ministry of Education assured that the calendar was developed after consultations with stakeholders, including the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
Previous Initiatives
This is not the first time Lagos has introduced a harmonised calendar. The state previously implemented a unified schedule in 2023, which was largely successful. The new calendar builds on that experience, incorporating feedback from educators and parents.
The government also reminded schools that all term dates, including resumption and closing times, must be adhered to without alteration. Any deviation must receive prior written approval from the Ministry of Education.
