The Federal Government has launched a nationwide learning assessment to measure pupils’ literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills, describing the exercise as a critical step towards addressing Nigeria’s learning crisis and improving the quality of education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the assessment would generate the data needed to drive evidence-based reforms across the education sector.
Speaking on Friday after monitoring the exercise at Government Secondary School, Kuje; Government Junior Secondary School, Kuje Central; and Topaz Model Primary School, Kango, Abuja, Alausa said the assessment targets pupils in Primary Three, Primary Five, Junior Secondary School Two (JSS2) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2).
He explained that learners are being assessed in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and non-cognitive skills to determine learning outcomes nationwide.
“We are conducting this National Learning Assessment to determine the level of understanding of our students in key subjects and to measure their literacy, numeracy and cognitive development,” the minister said.
According to Alausa, the exercise forms part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative and will establish a national benchmark for tracking learning outcomes every three years.
He noted that Nigeria had not consistently conducted national learning assessments, recalling that the last assessment by the Federal Ministry of Education was held in 2019, while the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) conducted a separate exercise in 2023.
“Learning assessment should be conducted every three years. We have now put robust processes in place, and UBEC has been directed to make dedicated budgetary provisions so the assessment becomes a regular national exercise beginning from 2029,” he said.
The minister expressed concern over the country’s high level of learning poverty, noting that many Nigerian children are unable to read age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.
He said the findings from the assessment would help government identify learning gaps and implement targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes across the country.
Alausa also disclosed that the ministry had harmonised previously fragmented assessment models into a single National Learning Assessment framework to ensure consistency and enable meaningful comparisons over time.
“We have customised different learning assessments into one standardised National Learning Assessment. This will allow us to consistently measure progress as we transform the education sector and ensure every Nigerian child receives quality education,” he said.
Following inspections of public and private schools in Kuje, the minister commended the quality of public school infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly the cleanliness and maintenance of the facilities.
“I was impressed by what I saw in the public schools. The environment was clean, the students looked healthy and happy, and there was evidence of good maintenance and greening. I commend the FCT Administration for the quality of the schools,” he said.
While acknowledging the role of private schools in expanding access to education, Alausa stressed the need for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
“Private schools have helped us keep many children in school. Without them, we would have far more out-of-school children. What we need is to encourage them while strengthening regulation to ensure they meet the required standards and provide conducive learning environments,” he added.
Also speaking, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, described the nationwide assessment as a significant intervention that would strengthen learning outcomes across the country.
He said the FCT Administration had renovated more than 120 public schools, including Government Secondary School, Kuje, and remained committed to supporting policies aimed at improving the quality of education.
“We appreciate the Honourable Minister for this initiative. The FCT Administration has renovated over 120 public schools, including Government Secondary School, Kuje, and we will continue to support every policy that will improve the quality of education in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Hayyo said.