The Federal Government will begin using only nationally ranked and approved textbooks in public schools across Nigeria from September 2026.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, following the approval of the National Textbook Ranking System by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The policy introduces a fresh process for selecting instructional materials for public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools, replacing the previous arrangement where licensing by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) was sufficient for classroom use.
Speaking in Abuja, Alausa said the new framework would ensure that only textbooks that pass a national assessment and secure ministerial approval are adopted in schools.
He said, “Only nationally ranked and approved textbooks” would be used in public schools from September 2026.
The minister explained that every textbook licensed by NERDC must also pass a national evaluation, score at least 70 per cent and meet prescribed academic, pedagogical, technical and quality assurance standards before receiving approval.
He disclosed that the ministry had established a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee made up of representatives of education agencies and subject specialists. The committee will assess only books that have already obtained NERDC licences before recommending the highest-ranked titles for approval.
Alausa said the approved list for each subject would contain between six and 10 textbooks, depending on curriculum requirements, while each approved title would remain valid for a minimum of three years.
He also announced lower assessment charges for publishers and authors. The assessment fee has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has dropped from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title. Publishers who paid the previous rates will receive refunds, with payment arrangements to be communicated by NERDC.
The minister warned that schools, publishers and authors must comply with the new policy, stating that the use of unapproved textbooks would attract sanctions, including the blacklisting of defaulting authors, publishers and schools.
He said the policy is expected to strengthen curriculum delivery, improve learning outcomes, expand access to quality instructional materials and remove substandard textbooks from classrooms nationwide.