FG to rank textbooks, restrict classroom use nationwide

Nigeria is set for a major overhaul in the way schoolbooks are selected, as the Federal Government rolls out a new system to rate and streamline textbooks used across basic and secondary education.

The reform, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, together with the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d Ahmad, introduces a National Textbook Ranking System aimed at tightening standards and reducing the flood of learning materials in circulation.

At the heart of the policy is an expanded mandate for the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council. While the agency will continue approving textbooks, it will now also assess and rank them through a detailed national review process. According to officials, this step will help identify the most suitable books for each subject and level.

To implement the scheme, the council will set up standing subject committees made up of specialists drawn from different academic fields. These panels will evaluate submitted titles for academic quality, clarity and how well they align with the national curriculum before assigning rankings.

Only a limited number of top-rated books will eventually be cleared for classroom use in each subject. Authorities say this measure is designed to address the long-standing problem of excessive and often conflicting materials that have left teachers, pupils and parents uncertain about what to rely on.

The government also made it clear that any textbook not captured within the ranking system will no longer be allowed in schools, regardless of any prior approval it may have received.

The policy is scheduled to take effect from the September 2026 academic session, with nationwide sensitisation campaigns planned to guide teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders on compliance.

Officials maintain that the initiative reflects global standards in managing instructional materials and is part of wider efforts to improve learning outcomes, strengthen quality assurance and provide students with dependable resources.