FG TO SCRAP COMMON ENTRANCE, INTRODUCE LEARNER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SYSTEM
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to phase out the long-standing Common Entrance Examination and replace it with a Learner Identification Number (LIN) system for primary school pupils across the country.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the new initiative will assign each pupil a unique identification number from the early stages of their education. The LIN will be used to monitor students’ academic progress, performance, and overall learning history throughout their schooling.
According to the Minister, the reform is designed to improve tracking of pupils, particularly in identifying those who fail to transition to the next level of education. He noted that the current Common Entrance Examination has faced criticism for placing undue pressure on young learners while offering a limited measure of their true academic abilities.
Under the proposed system, student evaluation will shift from one-time examinations to a Continuous Assessment (CA) model. This approach will consider classroom performance, participation, and skill development over time. Additionally, each student’s academic record will remain intact and transferable, even when they move between schools.
Dr. Alausa explained that the policy forms part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s education sector, enhance data management, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a fairer assessment process nationwide.
If fully implemented, the initiative is expected to mark a major shift in the country’s education system—placing greater emphasis on sustained learning and holistic student development rather than single-exam outcomes.
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