National Learning Assessment Week 2026: FG Sets Dates, Classes and Subjects

National Learning Assessment Week 2026: FG Sets Dates, Classes and Subjects

The Federal Government has declared Monday, 29 June to Friday, 3 July 2026 as National Learning Assessment, NLA, Week.

Nigeria will conduct its first nationwide National Learning Assessment across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, during the declared week.

What is National Learning Assessment Week?

National Learning Assessment Week is the period set aside by the Federal Government for the conduct of Nigeria’s first nationwide learning assessment.

The exercise will be conducted in sampled schools across the country and it will provide reliable data on learners’ achievement levels.

Why will the National Learning Assessment be conducted?

The assessment is designed to provide evidence for educational planning, policy reforms, resource allocation and better learning outcomes across Nigeria.

Its focus is diagnosis.

The outcome will help public education authorities understand learners’ achievement levels and the data will support decisions on learning needs across the school system.

Will the assessment be used for promotion or placement?

The exercise is strictly diagnostic.

It will not be used for promotion, placement or certification purposes, so learners will be assessed to provide system-level evidence rather than to decide individual movement from one class to another.

Which classes will take part in the assessment?

Learners from selected school levels will take part during the assessment week.

The covered classes are:

• Primary 3
• Primary 5
• Junior Secondary School 2, JS2
• Senior Secondary School 2, SS2

The assessment will be held in sampled schools nationwide.

Which subjects will be assessed?

The National Learning Assessment will cover subjects linked to literacy, numeracy, science learning and civic knowledge.

The subjects are:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Basic Science and Technology
• Citizenship and Heritage Studies

These subjects will provide data across core learning areas and the results will be used for evidence-based education planning.

How has the assessment been prepared?

Preparations commenced in 2025 through collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC.

UNICEF and the World Bank also provided support.

Assessment instruments have been developed, pilot-tested and matched with the personnel training required for the conduct of the exercise.

Who announced the purpose of the exercise?

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the assessment as a milestone for strengthening accountability and improving learning outcomes through evidence-based decision-making.

The statement places the assessment within the Federal Government’s plan to use learner data for education planning and policy reforms.

What should schools and the public understand about the exercise?

Schools, parents and learners should understand that the National Learning Assessment is a nationwide diagnostic exercise and it will be used to collect evidence on learning achievement across sampled schools.

The assessment will not serve as a certificate examination.