The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major education reform, replacing the Common Entrance Examination with Continuous Assessment and introducing a Learner Identification Number (LIN) to track students’ academic progress nationwide.
The Federal Government plans to phase out the Common Entrance Examination for admission into Junior Secondary School and replace it with Continuous Assessment (CA), which evaluates pupils based on their performance from Primary 1 onward.
The reform was announced in March 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to improve the education system in Nigeria.
The initiative is being led by the Federal Ministry of Education under the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
According to the ministry, the reform is designed to reduce exam pressure on young learners and promote a more comprehensive evaluation system that reflects consistent academic performance over time.
“This reform will ensure fairer evaluation and better monitoring of pupils nationwide,” said Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.
As part of the new system, a Learner Identification Number (LIN) will be assigned to each pupil at the beginning of primary school. This unique identifier will follow students throughout their academic journey, even when they change schools. Continuous Assessment records will also be portable across institutions.
The reform introduces a more flexible and inclusive education system, allowing students to be assessed based on overall performance rather than a single examination. It also improves data tracking and ensures better monitoring of student progress nationwide.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed about the new system, while schools are expected to begin aligning their assessment methods with the upcoming policy. Further implementation guidelines are expected from the Federal Ministry of Education.
This initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s education system and create a more supportive learning environment for students nationwide.