Nigeria’s kick off first National Learning Assessment week, June 29

 

 

Nigeria will commence its first National Learning Assessment Week on Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 3, 2026, across the 36 states and the FCT, marking a significant milestone in efforts to evaluate basic education learning outcomes.

Boriowo Folasade, director of press and public relations at the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement emphasised that the assessment is designed to generate reliable data on learners’ achievement levels and provide evidence to support educational planning, policy reforms, resource allocation, and improved learning outcomes nationwide.

“The exercise is strictly diagnostic and will not be used for promotion, placement, or certification purposes,” the statement reads.

The week-long exercise, which runs until July 3, is expected to provide critical data on pupils’ competencies in key subjects and help inform policies aimed at improving education quality nationwide.

Besides, Folasade explained that the preparations commenced in 2025 through collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), with support from UNICEF and the World Bank. Assessment instruments have been developed, pilot-tested, and personnel trained.

“The exercise will be conducted in sampled schools nationwide and will cover learners in Primary 3, Primary 5, Junior Secondary School 2 (JS2), and Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2). Subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, and Citizenship and Heritage Studies,” she noted.

Tunji Alausa, the minister of education described the assessment as a critical milestone for strengthening accountability and improving learning outcomes through evidence-based decision-making.

Some education stakeholders applauded the move, describing it as an evaluation process used to measure how well students are doing academically and identify systemic gaps in the education sector.

Chris Ibe, a teacher, said, “This is a good move, if they haven’t identified the gaps already.”