The Federal Government has approved a new National Textbook Ranking System (NTRS), introducing a nationwide quality assurance framework that will require all public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools to use only officially ranked and approved textbooks beginning from September 2026.
The reform, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, marks a major shift in Nigeria’s textbook approval process, with the government saying the policy is designed to improve learning quality, eliminate substandard instructional materials and ensure greater alignment between textbooks and the national curriculum.
Under the new system, textbooks will no longer qualify for classroom use solely because they have been licensed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). Instead, every licensed textbook must undergo an additional national assessment and ranking exercise before it can be approved for use in public schools.
According to the minister, the new framework establishes a transparent, merit-based process that aligns Nigeria’s textbook selection system with international best practices while guaranteeing learners access to high-quality instructional materials.
“The National Textbook Ranking System will strengthen curriculum implementation, improve learning outcomes, promote equity in access to quality instructional materials, eliminate the proliferation of substandard textbooks and restore public confidence in the nation’s education system,” Alausa said.
To drive implementation, the Federal Ministry of Education has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee made up of education agencies and subject experts. Working with NERDC, the committee will evaluate textbooks that have already satisfied NERDC licensing requirements before recommending the highest-ranked titles for ministerial approval.
The ministry disclosed that only textbooks scoring at least 70 per cent in the national evaluation will qualify for consideration. Even among successful submissions, only the best-performing titles will be approved, with each subject limited to between six and ten textbooks depending on curriculum requirements.
In a move expected to ease concerns within the publishing industry, the government also announced a reduction in textbook assessment and ranking fees.
The assessment fee has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been lowered from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title. Publishers and authors who had already paid the previous rates will receive refunds of the excess payments, with reimbursement arrangements to be communicated by NERDC.
The ministry said approved textbooks will remain valid for a minimum of three years to provide stability in curriculum delivery and reduce frequent changes in classroom materials.
It warned that schools, publishers and authors must comply fully with the new policy, noting that the use of unapproved textbooks after implementation begins in September 2026 will attract sanctions, including the possible blacklisting of defaulting schools, publishers and authors.
The announcement comes as the Federal Government intensifies reforms aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning under its education renewal agenda, with greater emphasis on curriculum standards, instructional materials and learning outcomes.
