The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to enhance quality control and standardisation in Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to curb the excessive number of textbooks in circulation and ensure that only materials that meet curriculum standards are used in classrooms nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, stated that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will continue to handle textbook approvals.
However, they explained that all approved books will now be subjected to a national ranking system to determine the most suitable options for each subject and academic level.
The ministry added that the council will establish subject-based expert committees to evaluate textbooks using defined academic and teaching standards. Only a select number of top-performing books will be recommended for use, while those not ranked will no longer be allowed in schools, regardless of previous approval.
The new policy is scheduled to take effect in September 2026 after consultations with stakeholders and completion of the evaluation process.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of education by ensuring students have access to reliable and high-standard learning materials.
