The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a new policy that will significantly reshape how textbooks are selected and used in schools nationwide.
Under the reform, a National Textbook Ranking System will be introduced to assess and rank approved learning materials for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools. Once implemented, only textbooks that meet the ranking criteria will be permitted for classroom use.
According to the Ministry of Education, the initiative is designed to improve the quality, consistency, and relevance of instructional materials used by students across the country.
A key aspect of the policy is that any textbook that is not ranked under the new system will be banned from use in schools, regardless of whether it had previously received official approval.
The government confirmed that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its role of approving textbooks. However, an additional layer of evaluation will now determine which of those approved books are most suitable for teaching and learning.
“Approved textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level,” the ministry stated.
To ensure credibility, subject-specific committees made up of education experts will be established to carry out detailed assessments based on academic and pedagogical standards.
Authorities also revealed that only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks per subject will be selected for use in schools nationwide. This move is expected to eliminate confusion caused by the large number of previously approved books and to promote uniformity in teaching materials.
The reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education system, tackle substandard content, and enhance learning outcomes for students.
Officials say the policy will take effect from September 2026, following consultations with key stakeholders and the completion of the evaluation framework.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian students have access to high-quality, curriculum-compliant learning resources that support effective education delivery.
