UBEC/FME STRENGTHENS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR QUALITY EDUCATION: SUCCESSFUL PILOT TESTING OF 2026 NATIONAL LEARNING ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED ACROSS SIX STATES
In a landmark demonstration of international collaboration under the leadership of Aisha Garba, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in strategic partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank, have successfully completed the pilot testing phase for the 2026 National Learning Assessment (NLA).
This critical preparatory exercise was carried out across six representative states of Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Enugu, Delta, and Oyo ahead of the full-scale operational assessment scheduled for June 2026.
Why This Matters:
The pilot testing rigorously evaluated the validity and reliability of both cognitive and non-cognitive assessment instruments. Through advanced psychometric analysis, the exercise determined difficulty and discrimination indices while ensuring the effectiveness of test item distractors—essential metrics that guarantee the NLA delivers accurate, actionable data on learning outcomes across Nigeria's basic education system.
A True Collaborative Effort:
The exercise brought together key stakeholders including officers from FME, UBEC, State Ministries of Education (SMoE), State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB), and NERDC, who served as assessors. Notably, UNICEF officials participated as monitors in several sampled states, reinforcing the vital role of development partners in strengthening Nigeria's education quality assurance frameworks.
Impact of the NLA:
The National Learning Assessment remains a cornerstone for evidence-based policy making in basic education. By identifying learning gaps and measuring foundational skills, the NLA directly informs targeted interventions, resource allocation, and curriculum improvements—ultimately driving measurable improvements in learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
This successful pilot underscores UBEC's commitment to transparency, international best practices, and results-driven partnerships that place Nigerian learners at the center of global educational excellence.
Department of Corporate Communications (UBEC)
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