FG Launches Three-Year Learning Assessments for Schools

The Federal Government of Nigeria has set a three-year cycle for nationwide learning assessments, as disclosed by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, during a visit to schools in Abuja.

This initiative aims to tackle learning poverty and improve the quality of education across the country. The first National Learning Assessment (NLA) is scheduled for 2026 and will involve public and private schools, covering primary levels three and five, junior secondary schools (JSS), and senior secondary schools (SSS).

The assessments will evaluate literacy, numeracy, and cognitive skills. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will direct the budgetary provisions for this initiative until 2029.

Previous assessments were conducted in 2019 and 2023, revealing that approximately 42 million Nigerian children are classified as learning poor. The government aims to create a harmonized learning assessment framework to ensure consistency and enable comparisons of learning outcomes over time, aligning with President Bola Tinubu's educational reform agenda.