The Lagos State Government has attributed the improved performance of students in external examinations to its learner support initiative, saying the programme has significantly enhanced teaching and learning outcomes across public schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated this while responding to questions during the ongoing 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Lagos.

According to the Commissioner, the impact of the initiative became evident when the 2025 examination results were compared with those of 2024.

He explained that the learner support platform provides students with live-stream teaching sessions and opportunities to interact directly with tutors and faculty members.

“Students have spaces where they can ask questions and get direct responses from faculty members. The impact is huge when we compare the results of 2024 and 2025,” he said.

Alli-Balogun added that the improved academic performance had positioned Lagos as the top-performing state in both WAEC and NECO examinations.

Speaking on examination sponsorship, the commissioner disclosed that over 45,000 senior secondary school students enrolled for WAEC and NECO examinations in 2025.

He revealed that the Lagos State Government paid about ₦1.4 billion for the examination fees of eligible students in public schools across the state.

On reforms within the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), the commissioner said the ongoing review was aimed at strengthening the agency and improving educational standards.

According to him, the review seeks to redefine the responsibilities of evaluators and provide modern training on school inspection and investigation processes.

He noted that the agency was also automating its approval processes to ensure seamless operations and efficiency in monitoring schools.

The commissioner further disclosed that OEQA certification would be extended to principals across the state to improve school safety, curriculum compliance and teaching standards.

He said the initiative would also help school administrators ensure that teachers follow approved curricula and recommended textbooks while maintaining effective interaction with students to improve learning outcomes.

Alli-Balogun added that the agency had engaged an international organisation to collaborate on capacity building and training of educational personnel across Lagos State.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to sustaining quality education and improving academic standards through technology-driven learning and institutional reforms.