The Federal Government has launched a nationwide learning assessment to tackle the country’s growing learning crisis, as it revealed that many Nigerian children were unable to read age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa made the revelation on Friday after monitoring the National Learning Assessment at Government Secondary School, Kuje; Government Junior Secondary School, Kuje Central; and Topaz Model Primary School, Kango, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Alausa notes that the exercise would provide government with the evidence needed to identify learning gaps and implement targeted interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes across the country.
According to him, the assessment covers pupils in Primary Three and Primary Five as well as students in Junior Secondary School Two (JSS2) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2).
The minister explained that learners were being tested in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and non-cognitive skills to determine the quality of learning nationwide.
He said: “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.”
Describing the exercise as a key component of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, the minister said it would serve as a benchmark for measuring learning outcomes every three years.
He expressed concern that Nigeria had not consistently conducted national learning assessments, noting that the last exercise undertaken by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) was in 2023, while the previous assessment conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education took place in 2019.
“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.”
Alausa said findings from the exercise would guide policy decisions and help government deploy resources and interventions to areas where learning deficits are most severe.
He disclosed that the ministry had harmonised multiple assessment models into a single national framework to ensure consistency and allow for effective tracking of progress 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.”
The minister also inspected public and private schools in Kuje and commended the quality of infrastructure and learning environment in public schools within the FCT.
“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 regulation 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 major step towards improving learning outcomes in the country.
Hayyo disclosed that the FCT Administration had renovated more than 120 public schools as part of efforts to improve the quality of education in the territory.
“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,” he said.