The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to tackle Nigeria’s learning crisis with the rollout of a comprehensive National Learning Assessment aimed at evaluating pupils’ academic performance, improving teaching quality and reducing learning poverty across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed this on Friday during a working visit to Government Secondary School, Junior Secondary School and Topaz Model Primary School, all in Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.

The assessment covers pupils in primary three and five as well as students in Junior Secondary School Two, focusing on English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and cognitive skills to determine literacy, numeracy and overall learning outcomes.

Alausa described the National Learning Assessment as a key component of the Federal Government’s education reform agenda, explaining that it would provide credible data to guide evidence-based policymaking and improve learning outcomes across the country.

The minister noted that Nigeria had not conducted learning assessments consistently, recalling that the most recent nationwide exercise was undertaken by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in 2023, while the Federal Ministry of Education last conducted one in 2019.

To address the gap, he said the assessment would now be institutionalised every three years, with UBEC directed to make dedicated budgetary provisions starting from the 2029 exercise.

According to the minister, regular assessments are critical to determining whether pupils are acquiring the expected knowledge and skills at different stages of their education.

He acknowledged the country’s longstanding learning challenges, including high levels of learning poverty, but expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would improve literacy, numeracy and overall academic achievement. He added that the findings from the assessment would establish a reliable benchmark for targeted interventions where they are most needed.

Alausa said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s education transformation agenda, stressing that the government is standardising learning assessments nationwide to ensure uniform measurement of students’ academic performance and to raise education quality to globally competitive standards.

During his inspection of the schools, the minister expressed satisfaction with the condition of Government Secondary School, Kuje, and Junior Secondary School, Kuje Central, commending the improvements in infrastructure, cleanliness and the overall learning environment.

He also lauded the management of Topaz Model Primary School, a private institution, for maintaining quality facilities despite growing enrolment, noting that private schools continue to play a vital role in expanding access to education.

He, however, emphasised that beyond infrastructure, effective teaching and improved learning outcomes remain the true indicators of a successful education system.

Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary for Education at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Danlami Hayyo, said the minister’s visit underscored the administration’s sustained investment in public education.

He disclosed that more than 120 public schools had been renovated, including Government Secondary School, Kuje, with upgrades covering classrooms, hostels, toilets and other critical facilities to provide a more conducive environment for learning.

Hayyo reaffirmed the FCTA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform initiatives, describing the National Learning Assessment as a significant step towards strengthening educational standards.

He expressed optimism that the exercise would generate the data needed to inform future policies, curriculum improvements and targeted interventions aimed at enhancing learning outcomes countrywide.