The University of Nigeria, Nsukka has approved a special amnesty programme for students who have exceeded their approved duration of study, opening a two year window for affected individuals to regularise their academic status and graduate. The decision was taken at the institution's 435th Senate meeting on February 26, 2026.

The amnesty covers the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic sessions, during which eligible students may return, fulfil outstanding requirements and proceed to graduation. Stakeholders have described the initiative as a timely intervention addressing long standing academic stagnation within the university.

Students who have already completed their programme requirements but could not graduate owing to overstay related complications are now eligible to do so upon payment of a stipulated levy. Those with outstanding courses are required to complete them within the approved amnesty sessions. Departments have also been granted the flexibility to reassign or waive courses that are no longer current or have been removed from the curriculum.

A levy of ₦100,000 per academic session has been fixed for all affected students. Payment is compulsory and serves as a prerequisite for reactivating access to the University's academic portal through the ICT Unit. A waiver of the minimum credit unit restriction has also been approved, permitting students to register only for courses needed to complete their programmes. Registration will be done via a designated overstay form obtainable from faculty offices and endorsed by Heads of Departments.

Eligible students will be permitted to attend lectures and sit examinations once all required documentation, including proof of payment and signed registration forms, has been submitted. Students who spoke with The Nigeria Education News described the development as a "lifeline," expressing relief and renewed hope. University authorities, however, stressed that the amnesty is time bound and urged all eligible students to act without delay.