The Federal Government (FG) will from September 2026 introduce a National Textbook Ranking System that bans unranked textbooks from use in primary, junior and senior secondary schools, a move aimed at improving quality assurance and standardization across Nigeria’s education sector.
In a statement issued on the Federal Ministry of Education’s official X account on Monday, April 27, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad disclosed the initiative, saying it is designed to tackle the proliferation of textbooks and ensure that only curriculum‑compliant and high‑quality materials are allowed in classrooms nationwide.
According to the ministers, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its statutory role of approving textbooks. However, under the new framework, approved titles will undergo a national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level.
To drive the policy, NERDC will set up Standing Subject Committees composed of experts who will carry out rigorous evaluations based on defined academic and pedagogical standards.
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Officials noted only a limited number of top‑ranked textbooks will be cleared for use, a measure expected to strengthen consistency and quality control across schools.
In addition , the ministers further stressed that any textbook not ranked will be barred from classroom use, regardless of previous licensing status. They added that stakeholder consultations and the completion of the evaluation framework will precede the rollout in September.
The FG reaffirmed its commitment to improving learning outcomes and providing students with reliable, curriculum‑aligned resources.
By introducing the ranking system, the administration says it is addressing the challenge of substandard textbooks and laying the foundation for a more coherent and effective education system.
Patience Ikuomola
