The Federal Government has announced a sweeping reform of textbook selection for Nigeria’s basic and secondary education system, unveiling a new framework designed to standardise and improve the quality of learning materials used in schools nationwide.

The initiative, introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d Ahmad, establishes a National Textbook Ranking System aimed at strengthening academic standards and reducing the proliferation of unregulated instructional materials.

Central to the reform is an expanded role for the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), which will not only continue its traditional function of approving textbooks but will now undertake a comprehensive evaluation and ranking process. Officials say this approach will ensure that only the most appropriate and high-quality books are recommended for each subject and educational level.

As part of the implementation strategy, the council will constitute standing subject-based committees comprising experts from various academic disciplines. These panels will assess submitted textbooks based on criteria such as academic accuracy, clarity of presentation, and alignment with the national curriculum before assigning rankings.

Under the new system, only a select number of top-performing textbooks in each subject area will be authorised for classroom use. Authorities note that this measure is intended to address the long-standing challenge of an oversupply of often conflicting materials, which has created uncertainty among teachers, students, and parents.

In a significant policy shift, the government stated that any textbook not included in the ranking system will be prohibited from use in schools, regardless of previous approvals.

The policy is scheduled to take effect from the September 2026 academic session. Ahead of its rollout, the government plans to conduct nationwide sensitisation campaigns to educate teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders on the new requirements.

Officials say the reform aligns with international best practices in the management of instructional materials and forms part of broader efforts to enhance learning outcomes, strengthen quality assurance, and provide students with reliable educational resources.