…under the new policy, NERDC will continue to license textbooks, but only those ranked under the new system.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The Federal Government has unveiled 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, which will be lead by NERDC.
According to a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, the initiative is aimed at addressing the growing proliferation of textbooks in schools and ensuring that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are used in classrooms.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suwaba Sai’d Ahmad, explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will retain its statutory role of approving textbooks for use in schools.
However, beyond approval, textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to determine the most suitable and highest-quality options for each subject and level.
As part of the reform, NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees made up of experts across various disciplines. These committees will carry out rigorous evaluations of textbooks submitted by publishers, using clearly defined academic and pedagogical standards.
Following the review process, only a limited number of textbooks will be ranked and approved for each subject, a move expected to improve quality control and ensure consistency in teaching materials nationwide.
Folasade noted that the new system will reduce the excessive number of textbooks currently in circulation, which has often created confusion for teachers, students, and parents.
She added that the reform is designed to promote transparency, order, and quality assurance in the textbook approval process, while aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.
Under the new policy, NERDC will continue to license textbooks, but only those ranked under the new system will be permitted for use in schools, regardless of any prior approval status.
The government said it will engage teachers and other stakeholders to ensure proper awareness and compliance with the policy.
Implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System is scheduled to begin in September 2026, after the establishment of subject committees and completion of the evaluation framework.
