The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed plans to scrap the Junior Secondary School common entrance examination from the 2026 admission cycle, replacing it with a Learner Identification Number (LIN) and a continuous assessment-based system designed to track every pupil’s performance from Primary 1 across schools nationwide. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa disclosed the reform during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, saying the move is part of broader efforts to improve access, reduce dropout rates, and strengthen accountability in the basic education system.
FG to Scrap Common Entrance Examination: Official announcement by Minister Tunji Alausa
Dr Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, confirmed that the traditional JSS common entrance examination will be gradually phased out and no longer used as the main basis for admission into public junior secondary schools, including federal unity colleges. He said the government will instead rely on a centralized system anchored on a unique Learner Identification Number and cumulative continuous assessment scores compiled from primary school.
According to Alausa, the National Common Entrance Examination, currently managed as a high‑stakes gateway test, does not adequately reflect pupils’ full learning journey and contributes to inequities in access to public junior secondary education. The minister emphasized that the reform is aimed at creating a more holistic and transparent admission process that follows a child’s record wherever they go.
Why the Federal Government is phasing out common entrance for JSS admissions in 2026
Alausa said the decision to scrap common entrance is tied to concerns about limited access and a massive drop‑off between primary and junior secondary enrolment in public schools. He cited figures showing that more than 23 million pupils are enrolled in over 50,000 public primary schools, but only about 3 million transition into public junior secondary schools.
The minister questioned where the “other 20 million” children go, warning that the current structure leaves many behind and cannot be fully absorbed by private schools. By focusing on learner tracking and continuous assessment rather than a single exam, the government hopes to identify pupils at risk of dropping out much earlier and to use data to plan additional schools and infrastructure with state governments.
What is the Learner Identification Number (LIN)?
The Learner Identification Number (LIN) is a unique identification code that will be assigned to every pupil from Primary 1 and will remain with them throughout their basic and secondary education. With the LIN, a child’s academic record, including continuous assessment scores and key biodata, will be stored in a centralized database accessible to authorized schools and education authorities.
Officials say the LIN will ensure that when a pupil transfers from one school to another, their continuous assessment history and identity follow them seamlessly, reducing the risk of lost records and manipulation. The system is also expected to improve data quality for planning, funding, and monitoring of Nigeria’s education outcomes at federal and state levels.
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How learner ID tracking will monitor students’ full educational journey
Under the planned framework, each pupil’s LIN will link to a digital record beginning from Primary 1, capturing term‑by‑term continuous assessment scores, attendance, and progression status. When pupils move between schools, including across states, the receiving school will update and continue the record rather than opening a new file.
The education ministry explains that this longitudinal tracking will make it easier to see if a child suddenly drops out, repeats multiple classes, or disappears from the system, prompting interventions. Over time, aggregated LIN data will show patterns of learning achievement, completion, and transition, which can inform policy decisions such as where to build more schools or deploy more teachers.
Continuous assessment to replace common entrance: key changes for JSS admission
Alausa stated that continuous assessment – not a one‑off exam – will become the primary criterion for selection into junior secondary schools. Schools will compile a pupil’s performance from Primary 1, using scores from classroom tests, assignments, projects, and term exams, all linked to the LIN.
For JSS admission, authorities will draw on this cumulative record to rank and place pupils, similar to how some systems use school‑based assessments rather than national entrance tests. The minister indicated that this approach is meant to reduce exam pressure on young children and discourage the commercialization and coaching culture around the current common entrance exam.
Snapshot of key policy shifts
Major benefits of Learner Identification Numbers in reducing dropout rates
The government believes that by assigning every pupil a LIN and tracking their progress, it will be easier to see where large numbers of children are leaving the system and why. With more accurate data on transitions from primary to junior secondary, policymakers can target interventions such as building additional schools, providing scholarships, or adjusting catchment policies.
Alausa highlighted that the current gap – roughly 20 million public primary pupils not appearing in public JSS enrolment – is unacceptable and partly linked to poor tracking and access constraints. The LIN‑based system is presented as a tool to close this gap by ensuring that each child is visible in the data from the beginning of schooling.
Timeline for implementation – when will common entrance be fully scrapped?
While the minister did not provide a precise cut‑off date for the last common entrance exam, he indicated that the phase‑out will begin with upcoming JSS admission cycles from 2026. The introduction of LINs and the building of the associated database will run in parallel, with initial focus on pupils currently in primary school.
Education stakeholders expect a transitional period in which both systems may overlap briefly, especially for cohorts already preparing for the existing exam. However, the ministry’s messaging suggests that the policy direction is clear: common entrance will cease to be the central gatekeeper for JSS admissions once the LIN‑driven framework is fully operational.
Impact on parents, unity schools, and the wider education system
For parents, the end of common entrance means less spending on exam registration, travel, and intensive coaching classes targeted at a single test. Instead, families will need to pay closer attention to their children’s continuous assessment performance from the early primary years, as this will now carry more weight.
Unity schools and other public JSS institutions will have to adjust their admission processes to receive and interpret continuous assessment data via the LIN system rather than relying on a centralized exam score sheet. The broader system may benefit from better planning, but it will also demand improved record‑keeping and data management in public and private primary schools alike.
Potential challenges and concerns with the new learner ID system
Experts and stakeholders caution that the success of LIN and CA‑based admissions will depend heavily on the capacity of schools to keep accurate, tamper‑proof continuous assessment records. There are concerns about disparities between well‑resourced private schools and under‑resourced public schools in how they assess pupils and maintain data.
Data security, privacy, and the risk of manipulation of continuous assessment scores have also been flagged as areas requiring clear guidelines and strong oversight. In addition, successful implementation will demand investment in ICT infrastructure, teacher training, and coordination among federal, state, and local education authorities.
How to register for Learner Identification Number (LIN) in Nigeria – step‑by‑step guide (what is known so far)
The education ministry is still finalizing the technical details, but based on current briefings, LIN registration is expected to be school‑led and centralized.
Indicative steps (subject to official guidelines) are:
-
School onboarding
Schools will be enrolled on the ministry’s central learner management platform through state and local education authorities, receiving access credentials and training. -
Pupil data capture
For each pupil from Primary 1, schools will capture basic biodata (name, date of birth, gender, address, parent/guardian contact) and enrolment details into the system. -
LIN generation
The central system will automatically generate a unique Learner Identification Number for each pupil, which schools will communicate to parents and record on report cards and school files. -
Continuous assessment upload
At regular intervals (e.g., end of term), schools will upload or sync continuous assessment scores linked to each pupil’s LIN.
Parents are advised to confirm their child’s LIN with the school once the system goes live and ensure that personal details are correctly recorded.
Reactions: what officials and the public are saying
Government officials frame the reform as a necessary step to modernize Nigeria’s basic education system and address the persistent gap in transition from primary to JSS. Alausa has described the LIN and CA regime as a way to “track pupils’ journey” and ensure that every child counted in primary school is equally accounted for at later stages.
Early public reactions on social and traditional media channels show a mix of support and concern, with some parents welcoming the reduced pressure of a one‑off exam and others worried about fairness and the reliability of school‑based assessments. Education commentators are calling for clear implementation guidelines, stakeholder consultation, and phased rollout to avoid disruption to current cohorts.
What happens next?
In the coming months, the Federal Ministry of Education is expected to publish detailed policy documents outlining the operational framework for the Learner Identification Number, continuous assessment standards, and the new JSS admission process. Engagements with state governments, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and school proprietors will be critical to expand infrastructure and ensure all schools are integrated into the system.
Parents and schools are being advised to monitor official announcements and prepare for a shift away from exam‑centric preparation towards sustained performance across the primary years. As with most systemic reforms, the real test will come in implementation and whether the new system can deliver on its promise of improved access and reduced dropout rates.
FAQ
Is FG really scrapping common entrance in Nigeria?
Yes. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has confirmed that the Federal Government plans to phase out the JSS common entrance examination and replace it with a LIN‑based continuous assessment system.
When will common entrance stop in Nigeria?
The phase‑out is expected to begin with the 2026 JSS admission cycle, with details on the final year of the exam to be released in official guidelines.
What will replace common entrance in Nigeria?
Common entrance will be replaced by a system that uses Learner Identification Numbers and cumulative continuous assessment from Primary 1 as the main criteria for admission into junior secondary schools.
Who introduced the learner ID tracking system?
The learner ID tracking system and the plan to abolish common entrance were announced by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
How will continuous assessment for JSS admission work?
Schools will record pupils’ performance across subjects and terms from Primary 1, upload these scores to a central platform under each pupil’s LIN, and these cumulative records will be used to determine eligibility and placement for JSS admission.
Will private schools also use the Learner Identification Number?
Yes. The plan is for both public and private schools to be integrated into the LIN system so that learner records remain consistent when pupils transfer between institutions.
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