By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The Federal Government has announced the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, in a major policy shift aimed at improving quality control and standardisation across Nigeria’s education sector.
In a press release issued on April 26, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Education said the initiative is designed to curb the proliferation of substandard textbooks and ensure that only curriculum-compliant and high-quality learning materials are used in classrooms nationwide.
According to the statement, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, explained that while the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will continue to perform its statutory duty of approving textbooks, a new layer of evaluation will now be introduced.
They said, “The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will retain its statutory role of approving textbooks. However, approved textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level.”
Under the new framework, NERDC is expected to establish Standing Subject Committees made up of education experts who will assess textbooks using clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards. Only a select number of top-ranked textbooks will ultimately be cleared for classroom use.
The statement further emphasised the strict nature of the policy, noting that, “Only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved, ensuring improved quality control and consistency nationwide,” adding that “any textbook not ranked will not be permitted for use, regardless of prior licensing status.”
Implementation of the ranking system is scheduled to begin in September 2026 after consultations with key stakeholders and the completion of the evaluation framework.
The development comes amid long-standing concerns over inconsistencies in teaching materials across schools in Nigeria, where multiple textbooks of varying quality are often used for the same subjects, contributing to uneven learning outcomes. By narrowing the list of approved materials, authorities aim to create a more uniform learning experience and improve academic performance among students.
However, the policy could also have significant implications for publishers and authors, many of whom may face exclusion if their materials fail to meet the new ranking criteria. Schools may also need to phase out previously approved books, potentially increasing short-term costs for institutions and parents.
Despite these concerns, the government reiterated its broader objective of strengthening the education system, stating that the reform is part of ongoing efforts to enhance learning outcomes and guarantee students access to high-quality educational resources.
The press release was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
