Nigeria Institutionalizes National Learning Assessment

The federal government of Nigeria has announced the institutionalization of the National Learning Assessment (NLA) to be conducted every three years, starting with budgetary provisions from 2029 by the Nigeria — Universal Basic Education Commission (Nigeria). Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, disclosed this after monitoring the ongoing 2026 NLA in the Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria). The assessment aims to evaluate literacy, numeracy, and cognitive skills among students from primary to senior secondary levels to address Nigeria's learning poverty, where millions of children cannot read age-appropriate texts by age 10. This initiative is part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative and aligns with President Bola Tinubu's agenda to transform the education sector. The government has also harmonized multiple assessment frameworks into a single national system and stressed the need for stronger regulation of private schools to ensure compliance with minimum standards. The Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria) has also seen over 120 public schools renovated under the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.