FG Announces Plans to Scrap Common Entrance Exams; Introduces Learner ID Number
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a radical reform of the basic education system, including plans to phase out the National Common Entrance Examination for Junior Secondary Schools.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed these changes during an interactive session in Lagos on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The reform aims to transition from a single-examination model to a more holistic Continuous Assessment (CA) system that tracks a student’s performance from Primary One through to the secondary level.
According to a report by Tribune, the Minister highlighted a staggering "access problem" in the current system.
Alausa revealed that while over 23 million pupils are enrolled in Nigeria's 50,000 public primary schools, only about 3 million successfully transition to public junior secondary schools.
To combat this 20-million-pupil gap and curb dropout rates, the government will introduce a unique Learner Identification Number (LIN).
This digital ID will follow each child throughout their academic journey, allowing the Ministry to monitor progress even if a student transfers between states or schools.
“If somebody is expected to be in JSS class one and he is not there, we will be able to know the reason why,” the Minister explained.
Alausa also confirmed that the Federal Government is working with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to build more schools and is considering moving the National School Feeding Programme to the Ministry of Education to further boost enrollment and retention.
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