LAGOS - The Nigerian government has announced a major shift in the country's basic education system with plans to scrap the traditional National Common Entrance Examination for pupils transitioning into junior secondary schools. This reform aims to modernize student evaluation and ensure a more seamless progression through the early years of formal learning.

The Introduction of Learner Identification Numbers

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, revealed these plans during a press briefing in Lagos. Central to this new policy is the introduction of a Learner Identification Number (LIN). This unique digital identifier is designed to track a student’s academic journey comprehensively, starting from the primary level all the way through secondary education. By assigning a permanent number to every learner, the government hopes to create a more organized and accountable database for the nation’s student population.

Transition to Continuous Assessment (CA)

According to the Minister, the Common Entrance Examination will not vanish overnight but will be gradually phased out to make room for a Continuous Assessment (CA) system. Under this new framework, a student's eligibility for secondary education will no longer depend on a single high-stakes exam. Instead, the system will evaluate a child’s performance cumulatively starting from Primary One.

Minister Alausa highlighted the flexibility of this approach, noting that even if a student changes schools, their academic records and CA data can be easily transferred to the new institution via their identification number. This move is expected to address the significant gaps currently found in the transition process from primary to secondary school, particularly for students who often drop out or struggle to navigate the current entrance requirements. By focusing on long-term performance rather than a one-off test, the government intends to foster a more stable and encouraging academic environment for Nigerian children.