FG Introduces National Textbook Ranking System for Schools

The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools in a major reform aimed at improving the quality of educational materials used across Nigeria.

The initiative, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d Ahmad, is designed to regulate and standardise textbooks by ensuring only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are used in classrooms.

Under the new policy, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its role of approving textbooks but will now also rank them based on a strict national evaluation process. Subject experts will assess submitted books for academic quality, clarity, and alignment with national education standards.

Only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved for use per subject, while unranked materials will be excluded from schools, regardless of prior approval status. The policy is scheduled to take effect from the September 2026 academic session and will be supported by nationwide sensitisation campaigns for educators and stakeholders.

According to the Federal Government, the reform is aimed at improving learning outcomes, strengthening quality assurance, and aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.