Nigeria's Examination Revolution: Three national exams to rescue a generation?

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00:00Nigeria is on the verge of an education revolution. But first, the harsh truth.

00:07Right now, over 18 million Nigerian children are out of school, the highest number in the world,

00:13according to UNICEF's latest 2024-2025 data. That's nearly one in every five school-aged kids

00:21roaming the streets, walking or trapped at home, robbed of their future by poverty,

00:27insecurity, early marriage and crumbling infrastructure. A national crisis that

00:33fuels inequality and holds an entire generation back. Yet, in one board session, the Senate just

00:40fired the starting gun on change. First, every single Nigerian child, public, private, rich or poor,

00:49must now sit for three national exams. The National Common Entrance, NCEE,

00:55the Basic Education Certificate Examination and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination

01:03are now compulsory. No loopholes. This creates one unbreakable national standard,

01:12forces accountability on every school and shines a spotlight on the millions currently invincible

01:18to the system. Supporters say it is the first step to tracking, tracing and bringing out-of-school

01:26children back into classrooms. Second, the new National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies,

01:34giving formal structure, quality control and recognition to Islamic education that millions in

01:40the North already follow, potentially bridging the gap for kids in Quranic schools who have been counted

01:47as out-of-school. Third, the Chartered Institute of Training and Development, professionalizing skills

01:55training so Nigeria builds a workforce ready for tomorrow. Soon, every trainer, coach and capacity

02:02building program, we need it sealed of approval. This means higher standards for corporate training,

02:09vocational skills and leadership development, positioning Nigeria to compete in a global knowledge

02:15economy. But here is the real deal. These aren't laws yet. The bills now air to the House of

02:22Representatives for debate, then to the President's desk for asset. If signed, the hard part begins.

02:29Massive enrollment drives, free examination registration, teacher recruitment, school upgrades and real

02:36enforcement across 36 states. For the first time, Nigeria could finally see every child, measure every

02:44child and reach every child. Will lawmakers seize this moment and turn compulsory examination into

02:52compulsory opportunity? And can Nigeria's education system absorb this proposed new shift?

02:59One thing is clear, the future of millions of Nigerian children are at stake. What do you think about

03:06this new bill? Air your opinion in the comment section. Stay informed and updated by following us

03:12across all social platforms at Guardian Nigeria. Because what happens next could rescue a generation.

03:28well, so do we communicate with you.

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