Federal Government Announces Major Education Overhaul: Common Entrance Exam to Be Scrapped
The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has unveiled a significant reform in Nigeria's education sector, with plans to abolish the Junior Secondary School Common Entrance Examination. This move aims to streamline the transition from primary to secondary education and improve access for millions of pupils across the country.
New Learner Identification Number to Enhance Student Tracking
In a landmark announcement, the Minister of Education revealed that a Learner Identification Number will be introduced to track students throughout their academic journey, from primary school onward. This system is designed to provide a comprehensive record of each pupil's performance, facilitating better monitoring and support as they progress through the education system.
The minister emphasized that the Common Entrance Examination will be phased out and replaced with a Continuous Assessment model. This new approach will reflect a pupil's academic performance from Primary One, ensuring that their educational history is portable if they transfer between schools. The reforms are expected to address critical gaps in the transition process, where many pupils currently fail to advance to secondary education.
Addressing the Dropout Crisis in Public Schools
Highlighting the urgency of these changes, the minister presented alarming statistics: Nigeria has over 50,000 public primary schools with more than 23 million pupils, but only about 3 million of these pupils move on to junior secondary school in public institutions. This leaves approximately 20 million children unaccounted for in the secondary education system, underscoring the need for improved tracking and access measures.
The interactive session with journalists in Lagos on March 21, 2026, served as the platform for this announcement, where the minister detailed how the Continuous Assessment system will work. By relying on ongoing evaluations rather than a single high-stakes exam, the government hopes to create a more equitable and supportive environment for all students.
Background on the Common Entrance Examination
The National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) has long been a mandatory requirement for primary school pupils seeking admission into Junior Secondary School (JSS 1). Conducted annually, this exam has been a cornerstone of the education system, but critics argue it creates barriers for many students. The new reforms aim to dismantle these barriers and foster a more inclusive approach.
This announcement follows other recent government initiatives to curb malpractice in examinations like WAEC and NECO, including enhanced question randomisation and strict assessment timelines. Together, these measures represent a broader effort to overhaul Nigeria's education infrastructure and ensure better outcomes for future generations.
