The Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission have concluded the pilot testing of the 2026 National Learning Assessment (NLA), a key exercise aimed at strengthening the measurement of learning outcomes in the country’s basic education system.
The pilot was conducted across six states—Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Enugu, Delta, and Oyo—as part of preparations for the nationwide rollout scheduled for June 2026.
Officials said the exercise was designed to test the effectiveness of assessment tools used to evaluate both cognitive and non-cognitive learning among pupils. The process also examined the reliability of test items to ensure that the final assessment will produce accurate and policy-relevant data.
The pilot involved collaboration with development partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank, which provided technical support and monitoring in selected states.
Participants included officials from federal and state education ministries, State Universal Basic Education Boards, and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, who served as field assessors during the exercise.
The National Learning Assessment is a periodic evaluation used to measure pupils’ performance in foundational skills and identify gaps within the education system. Findings from the assessment are expected to guide policy decisions, resource allocation, and targeted interventions.
Authorities say the successful completion of the pilot phase marks a significant step toward improving data-driven planning in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
The full-scale implementation of the 2026 National Learning Assessment is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of learning outcomes across the country.
