The Federal Government has launched a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance and standardisation in Nigeria’s education sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the initiative is aimed at addressing the proliferation of textbooks while ensuring that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are approved for classroom use nationwide.
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 retain its statutory responsibility for approving textbooks.
They, however, noted that all approved textbooks would now be subjected to a structured national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said the NERDC would establish standing subject committees comprising experts to conduct detailed evaluations based on clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards.
It added that only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks would ultimately be approved for use—a move the government says will strengthen quality control and ensure consistency across schools.
The ministry further stated that any textbook not included in the ranking would not be permitted for use, regardless of its previous approval or licensing status.
Implementation of the policy is scheduled to commence in September 2026, following stakeholder consultations and the completion of the evaluation framework.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to improving learning outcomes and expanding access to high-quality educational materials for students across the country.
