Dare Babalola
The Federal Government has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to improve quality assurance and standardisation in the education sector.
In a press statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said the initiative is designed to curb the proliferation of substandard textbooks and ensure that only curriculum-compliant and high-quality materials are used in classrooms nationwide.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will retain its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks.
However, they noted that all approved materials will now be subjected to a national ranking process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and class level.
According to the statement, NERDC will set up Standing Subject Committees made up of experts to carry out detailed assessments of textbooks using defined academic and pedagogical standards.
“Only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved, ensuring improved quality control and consistency nationwide,” the statement said.
It added that any textbook that fails to make the ranking list will not be allowed for use in schools, regardless of previous approval status.
The ministry disclosed that implementation of the new system will begin in September 2026 after consultations with stakeholders and the completion of the evaluation framework.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing learning outcomes and providing students with access to high-quality educational resources.
