The Federal Government has unveiled a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools, in a move aimed at strengthening quality assurance and standardisation across Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative is designed to tackle the growing number of textbooks in circulation while ensuring that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are used in classrooms nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) would continue to carry out its statutory duty of approving textbooks.
However, they noted that all approved materials would now be subjected to a structured national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level.
In a statement released by the ministry, it was revealed that the NERDC would establish standing subject committees made up of experts to conduct detailed evaluations based on clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards.
Only a select number of top-performing textbooks would ultimately be approved for use, a measure the government says will enhance quality control and promote uniformity in teaching materials across schools.
The ministry also stated that any textbook not included in the ranking system would no longer be permitted for use, regardless of previous approval or licensing status.
Implementation of the policy is scheduled to begin in September 2026, following consultations with stakeholders and the finalisation of the evaluation framework.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to improving learning outcomes and expanding access to high-quality educational resources for students nationwide.
