April 27, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
The Federal Government of has announced a major reform in the education sector with the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System that will restrict the use of unapproved learning materials in schools nationwide.
In a statement issued by the , the government said the new policy is aimed at addressing the widespread use of substandard and unregulated textbooks while improving quality assurance and standardisation across primary and secondary education.
The reform will apply to Primary, Junior Secondary, and Senior Secondary Schools, marking a shift from the current system where multiple approved textbooks are used without a clear ranking of quality or suitability.
Under the new framework, the (NERDC) will continue its role of approving textbooks, but an additional layer of evaluation will now be introduced. Approved materials will undergo a structured national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level.
To ensure credibility, the ministry disclosed that subject-based committees made up of academic experts will be established to carry out rigorous assessments based on defined educational and pedagogical standards. Only top-performing textbooks will be selected.
The government emphasised that the policy introduces strict compliance rules, stating that only a limited number of highly ranked textbooks will be approved for use in schools. Any textbook that does not make the ranking list will be banned from classrooms, regardless of previous approval status.
The Minister of Education, , alongside the Minister of State for Education, , said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve learning outcomes and ensure students have access to high-quality instructional materials.
Implementation of the new system is scheduled to begin in September 2026, following consultations with stakeholders and the completion of the evaluation process.
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening the education sector, noting that the reform is designed to promote consistency, enhance teaching standards, and provide students with better learning resources nationwide.
