The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has officially ratified and released the operational guidelines governing the upcoming 2025/2026 Academic Session Matriculation Ceremony. This significant academic milestone, which serves as the formal legal induction of newly admitted students into the university community, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 17th February, 2026. Beyond its ceremonial nature, the matriculation exercise is a statutory requirement; it is the moment when “prospective” students transition into “bona fide” members of the institution, assuming all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that accompany membership in one of Africa’s most prestigious centers of learning.
Central to this year’s directive is a modernized, technology-driven approach to the logistics of the ceremony, particularly concerning the acquisition of academic regalia. The university has established a rigid framework for the hiring of academic gowns, emphasizing financial transparency and administrative efficiency through the total elimination of cash transactions. The university has introduced an online portal for gown reservations, which streamlines the process and ensures each student has access to appropriate attire.
This guide provides an exhaustive breakdown of the requirements, the digital payment ecosystem, and the institutional expectations for every matriculant. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the online payment procedures, gown collection protocols, and the code of conduct expected during the ceremony. Detailed information on the venue, time, and specific activities will be disseminated through official university channels, including the university website and student portals, ensuring that all matriculants are well-prepared for this important event.
The Significance of the Matriculation Oath and Academic Regalia
In the context of Ahmadu Bello University, matriculation is more than a photo opportunity. It is a legal covenant. By participating in the ceremony and signing the Matriculation Register, a student formally pledges to abide by the rules and regulations of the university and to hold the institution’s reputation in high esteem. The academic gown, which students are required to hire for this event, is a symbolic representation of this new identity. Historically rooted in medieval European university traditions, the gown signifies that the wearer is a scholar in training, set apart for the pursuit of knowledge.
The management has set a mandatory hire fee of Three Thousand Naira (₦3,000) for these gowns. This fee covers the maintenance, cleaning, and administrative overhead associated with the university’s large inventory of regalia. It is crucial to note that the gown remains the property of the university and must be returned to the respective Faculty Officers within a specified timeframe following the ceremony to avoid late-return penalties.
The Remita Digital Payment Framework
To align with the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and to ensure that university funds are managed with the highest level of accountability, ABU Zaria has mandated that all gown hire payments be processed through the Remitaplatform. This system removes the risks associated with manual cash handling at faculty offices and provides students with a verifiable, digital trail of their financial compliance.
The use of a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) is the cornerstone of this process. The RRR is a unique code generated for every specific transaction, linking the student’s payment directly to the university’s account. Management has issued a stern warning: No cash payments will be accepted at any gown collection center. Any student who pays cash to an unauthorized individual does so at their own risk and will not be issued a gown.
Detailed Step-by-Step Payment Procedure
Navigating the digital payment landscape requires precision. A single error in selecting the service type or institutional code can lead to payment misdirection. Students are directed to follow this rigorous four-step protocol on the official Remita website:
Step 1: Initiation and Gateway Selection
The process begins at www.remita.net. Upon landing on the homepage, students must navigate to the section labeled “Pay TSA & States.” From the subsequent options, the choice must be “FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria.” This selection ensures that the funds are directed toward the federal sub-account designated for Ahmadu Bello University.
Step 2: Form Completion and Data Precision
This is the most critical stage of the process. The student must populate a digital form with specific institutional identifiers provided by the ABU Bursary. The following details are non-negotiable:
Who do you want to pay: Type and select Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 1000110. This unique numerical suffix is the university’s direct identifier in the TSA system.
Name of Service/Purpose: Select COGCC. This specific code categorizes the payment correctly within the university’s internal accounting software.
Description: Clearly state “Hiring of Academic Gown” to ensure the Faculty Officer can instantly identify the purpose of the payment.
GIFMIS Code: Enter 0000.
Personal Details: Provide the payer’s full name (as it appears on the admission letter), a valid email address, and a functioning phone number. Precision here is vital for the recovery of receipts in case of technical failure.
Step 3: Channel Selection and Finalization
After reviewing the entered data for accuracy, the student selects a preferred payment mode. The Remita platform is highly versatile, offering several channels:
Debit/Credit Card: The fastest method, allowing for instant processing from any Nigerian bank card.
Internet Banking: For those who prefer direct bank-to-bank transfers via their banking apps.
Bank Branch: Students who prefer a physical bank can print the generated RRR invoice and take it to any commercial bank in Nigeria to pay over the counter.
Step 4: Receipt Verification and Official Documentation
A Remita success slip is not the final document required for gown collection. It is merely the “evidence of payment.”
For POS Payments: Students who utilize the Point of Sale (POS) terminals provided at designated university locations will receive an official university receipt immediately.
For Online/Bank Payments:Students must take their printed Remita receipt to the appropriate university treasury office (usually within the faculty or the Central Bursary) to have it converted into an Official ABU Receipt. This official receipt is the only document that Faculty Officers will accept as clearance to release an academic gown.
Logistics of Gown Collection and Distribution
Following the successful verification of payment, students are to proceed to their respective Faculties. The decentralization of gown collection is intended to prevent the “last-minute congestion” that often plagues large-scale university events. Each Faculty Officer is responsible for the inventory management of gowns for their specific student population.
Matriculants are advised to inspect the gowns upon collection. Any damage identified after the gown has left the faculty office may be charged to the student upon return. Furthermore, the university maintains a strict policy on the return of regalia; gowns are typically expected back within 48 to 72 hours following the ceremony. Failure to return the gown on time usually attracts a daily fine, and in extreme cases, the withholding of the student’s first-semester results.
Code of Conduct and Ceremonial Expectations
The matriculation ceremony at ABU Zaria is a formal academic event, and as such, a high standard of decorum is expected. Management has emphasized the following points:
Dress Code: While the academic gown is the primary outer garment, the clothing worn beneath must be formal and “decent,” in line with the university’s dress code policy.
Punctuality: Matriculants are expected to be seated at the ceremonial venue (usually the Convocation Square or designated faculty areas) at least 30 minutes before the entry of the Vice-Chancellor’s procession. Once the procession begins, access to the seating area may be restricted.
Procession Protocol: Students must stand when the Academic Procession (led by the Mace Bearer and including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Deans) enters and leaves the arena. This is a sign of respect for the university’s highest governing body
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