By The9jaTREND
As part of efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning across the country, Federal Government has announced plans to blacklist schools, publishers and authors found using or distributing textbooks that have not received official approval for use in public schools.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the newly approved National Textbook Ranking System, which will take effect in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools from September 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, and made available on Thursday.
According to the ministry, the new framework introduces, for the first time, a transparent and merit-based system for selecting instructional materials, aligning Nigeria’s textbook approval process with international standards.
Alausa explained that the initiative is intended to strengthen curriculum implementation, improve learning outcomes, eliminate substandard instructional materials and restore confidence in the nation’s education system.
He said the ministry had established a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee, comprising representatives of key education agencies and subject experts, to oversee the evaluation process.
The committee, working alongside the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, will assess only textbooks that have already secured NERDC approval before recommending the highest-rated titles for final ministerial endorsement.
The minister noted that obtaining NERDC approval alone would no longer be sufficient for a textbook to be used in classrooms.
Under the new policy, every licensed textbook must undergo a comprehensive national assessment, achieve a minimum score of 70 per cent and meet prescribed academic, pedagogical, technical and quality assurance benchmarks before it can receive final approval.
He added that only the top-performing textbooks would make the approved list, with each subject limited to between six and 10 titles, depending on curriculum requirements.
To reduce the financial burden on publishers and authors, Alausa also announced a downward review of textbook assessment and ranking fees.
He said the assessment fee had been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee had been cut from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title.
According to the minister, publishers who previously paid the old rates will be refunded the difference through a reimbursement process to be coordinated by NERDC.
He further stated that textbooks approved under the National Textbook Ranking System would remain valid for a minimum of three years to ensure consistency in curriculum delivery.
Alausa said compliance with the policy would be monitored by NERDC alongside other relevant regulatory agencies.
From September 2026, only textbooks that have been evaluated, ranked and approved under the National Textbook Ranking System will be permitted for use in public schools across the country.
He warned that schools, publishers and other stakeholders must comply with the directive, stressing that those found using or distributing unapproved textbooks risk sanctions, including being blacklisted.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring that learners across the country have access to high-quality instructional materials capable of improving teaching, learning and overall educational outcomes.