In a move to strengthen quality assurance and standardisation in Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools.
The initiative, according to a statement by the
Director, Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, is aimed at addressing the proliferation of textbooks and ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are approved for classroom use.
Implementation will commence from September 2026 following stakeholders’ engagement and completion of the evaluation framework.
In the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, said that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will retain its statutory role of approving textbooks, but approved textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level.
“NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees comprising experts to conduct rigorous evaluations based on defined academic and pedagogical standards.
“Only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved, ensuring improved quality control and consistency nationwide.
“Under the policy, any textbook not ranked will not be permitted for use, regardless of prior licensing status,” the statement read.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to improving learning outcomes and ensuring access to high-quality educational resources.
