FG to scrap common entrance, track students’ journey with identification number

Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the National Common Entrance Examination will be scrapped and replaced with a Learner Identification Number (LIN) system, alongside continuous assessment records, to track pupils’ academic journey from primary school through secondary education. This reform aims to improve access, reduce dropout rates, and ensure more accurate monitoring of student performance nationwide.

A Bold Shift in Nigeria’s Education Policy

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed during an interactive session in Lagos that the Common Entrance Examination will be phased out. Instead, pupils will be evaluated through Continuous Assessment (CA), which will reflect their performance from Primary One onward.

This means that a child’s academic record will follow them even if they transfer schools, ensuring consistency and fairness in evaluation.

Learner Identification Number (LIN)

The Learner Identification Number (LIN) is a unique code that will be assigned to every child enrolled in school. This number will serve as a permanent academic tracker, recording progress, transitions, and performance across different schools and states. The government believes this system will:

- Reduce dropout rates by ensuring every child is accounted for in the system.

- Improve access to education by making transitions smoother between schools.

- Enhance monitoring and planning for education authorities, who will have reliable data on student populations and performance.

Why Scrap the Common Entrance?

The Common Entrance Examination has long been criticized for being a high-stakes, one-off test that determines entry into junior secondary school. Critics argue that it disadvantages pupils from under-resourced schools and rural areas. By replacing it with continuous assessment:

- Pupils will be judged on long-term performance, not a single exam.

- Teachers will play a greater role in shaping outcomes through ongoing evaluation.

- The system will encourage holistic learning rather than exam-focused preparation.

Implications for Parents and Pupils

For parents, this reform means less pressure on their children to perform in one decisive exam. Instead, they must pay closer attention to their child’s day-to-day academic progress. Pupils will benefit from a system that values consistency, effort, and improvement over time. However, it also places responsibility on schools to maintain transparent and fair assessment practices.

Challenges Ahead

While the reform is ambitious, it faces potential challenges:

- Implementation logistics: Ensuring every child receives and retains a LIN across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

- Teacher training: Preparing educators to conduct fair and standardized continuous assessments.

- Data management: Building a reliable national database to store and track millions of pupils’ records.

- Equity concerns: Guaranteeing that rural schools with fewer resources can implement the system effectively.

Editorial Conclusion

The Federal Government’s decision to scrap the Common Entrance Examination and introduce the Learner Identification Number marks a transformative moment in Nigeria’s education sector. It signals a shift from exam-centric evaluation to a more inclusive, data-driven, and continuous assessment model. If implemented effectively, this reform could reshape the future of Nigerian education by ensuring that no child is left behind. However, its success will depend on robust infrastructure, teacher preparedness, and equitable access across urban and rural communities.