The Federal Government has proposed a harmonised 2027 examination timetable targeting the release of WAEC, NECO and other external examination results by August to enable candidates to begin tertiary admission processes in September.

Under the proposed schedule, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will conduct the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from May 11 to June 18, 2027, while the National Examinations Council (NECO) will hold its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) from April 1 to May 14.

Results for both examinations are expected to be released in August, alongside those of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), is scheduled to hold its examination from March 15 to 25, with results expected in the same month.

The proposed timetable was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement issued late Wednesday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

According to the statement, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, convened a meeting with heads and representatives of examination bodies at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja to advance the harmonisation process.

“The meeting focused on aligning examination schedules, minimising timetable clashes, and ensuring the timely processing and release of results,” the release noted.

The proposed schedule also places NABTEB examinations between June 1 and July 5, 2027, while NBAIS examinations are expected to run from June 10 to July 9. Results for both examinations are targeted for August.

The ministry said the initiative aligns with the education reform agenda of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

It said sustained engagement with the examination bodies would ensure compliance with the proposed timelines, strengthen accountability and improve coordination between examination schedules and tertiary admissions.

The government said the initiative was designed to improve efficiency and expand timely access to tertiary education.