The Federal Government has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to improve quality assurance and standardisation in the country’s education sector.
The initiative aims to curb the proliferation of substandard and non-compliant textbooks by ensuring that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned materials are approved for classroom use nationwide.
Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaba Sa’id Ahmad, disclosed that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will retain its statutory responsibility for textbook approval.
However, under the new framework, approved textbooks will undergo an additional national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level of education, a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said on Monday.
To implement the system, NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees made up of experts across various disciplines. The committees will assess submitted textbooks using defined academic and pedagogical criteria to ensure only top-quality materials are selected.
Following the evaluation, a limited number of textbooks will be ranked and approved per subject, a move expected to enhance consistency and quality control in teaching and learning materials across schools.
The government said the reform would address confusion caused by the large number of textbooks currently in circulation, providing clearer guidance for teachers, students and parents while improving transparency in the approval process.
It added that although NERDC will continue licensing textbooks, only those ranked under the new system will be permitted for use in schools, regardless of any prior approval status.
The Federal Government also plans to sensitise teachers and key stakeholders on the new policy to ensure compliance.
Implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System is scheduled to begin in September 2026, after the establishment of the subject committees and completion of the evaluation framework.
Officials say the initiative forms part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening education delivery, improving learning outcomes and ensuring Nigerian students have access to high-quality instructional materials.