Nigeria Replaces Common Entrance Exam with Continuous Assessment System

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major reform in the education sector with the gradual phase-out of the National Common Entrance Examination for unity schools. The new system replaces the one-time examination with a Continuous Assessment (CA) model, supported by a Learner Identification Number (LIN) designed to track pupils’ academic progress from primary through secondary school.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform aims to provide a more accurate and long-term evaluation of students rather than relying on a single high-stakes exam. Under the new approach, each pupil will be assigned a unique identification number at the point of entry into primary school, allowing their academic records to follow them throughout their educational journey.

This policy is expected to address key challenges in Nigeria’s education system, particularly the low transition rate from primary to secondary school. Reports indicate that only about 3 million out of 23 million public primary school pupils successfully move to the next level. By assessing students over time, the government hopes to reduce examination pressure, improve retention, and limit dropout rates.

How the New System Will Work

The Continuous Assessment model evaluates pupils based on their performance over several years, rather than a single examination. Combined with the LIN system, education authorities will be able to monitor students in real time and identify those who drop out or fall behind.

According to the minister, this digital tracking system will make it easier to detect gaps in the education system and provide targeted interventions. For example, if a pupil is expected to progress to Junior Secondary School but fails to do so, the system will help identify the reasons and enable timely support.

In addition, the government is considering reviving the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme to encourage enrolment and improve attendance, with plans to strengthen monitoring and accountability.

Stakeholders Support Reform but Question Readiness

While many education stakeholders agree that the reform is progressive and aligns with global best practices, concerns have been raised about Nigeria’s readiness to implement such a system effectively.

The National President of the Early Childhood Association of Nigeria, Babajide Abidogun, described the initiative as educationally sound but warned that its success depends on proper infrastructure and teacher preparation.

He noted that many public primary schools still rely on manual record-keeping systems, which could make accurate tracking difficult. Other challenges include poor data management, lack of standardized assessment frameworks, and insufficient teacher training in continuous evaluation methods.

According to him, without strong digital systems, reliable electricity, and internet access, the LIN programme may struggle to function effectively.

Need for a Gradual and Balanced Approach

Experts suggest that rather than completely eliminating the Common Entrance Examination immediately, a phased or hybrid system may be more practical. Such a model would combine Continuous Assessment (60–70%) with a standardized transition test (30–40%) to ensure fairness and comparability across schools.

Alternative approaches proposed include digital portfolios, where pupils’ academic work and progress are recorded over time, and cluster-based assessments conducted at regional or state levels instead of a single national exam.

Education experts argue that Continuous Assessment better reflects how children learn—gradually and across different areas such as cognitive, emotional, and practical skills—rather than through one-off testing.

Importance of Infrastructure and Teacher Training

Education professionals emphasize that successful implementation will depend largely on system readiness. This includes:

• Adequate digital infrastructure in schools
• Proper training for teachers on assessment methods
• Reliable data management systems
• Consistent power supply and internet connectivity

Without these, the reform risks becoming ineffective despite its strong educational foundation.

Experts Recommend Blended Assessment System

Education stakeholders, including experienced school administrators, suggest that combining both traditional examinations and continuous assessment may be the best starting point. Over time, the system can gradually transition fully to continuous evaluation once it is well established and properly implemented.

They also highlight that students have different strengths across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains, and a comprehensive assessment system should capture all these areas rather than relying solely on written examinations.