The Federal Government has introduced a new quality policy that mandates the use of durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, as part of efforts to cut education costs for parents, improve learning outcomes, and promote sustainability in Nigerian schools.
The policy, jointly issued by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, was announced in a statement on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the new framework prioritises standardised, high-quality textbooks and expressly prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
“Our goal is to ensure that education is both qualitative and affordable,” the ministers said.
“By transitioning to durable, reusable textbooks, siblings can share learning materials, significantly reducing recurring costs for parents and minimising waste in the school system.”
They explained that the initiative would allow textbooks to be reused across multiple academic sessions, supporting environmental sustainability while restoring value for money in the education sector.
As part of wider reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to enhance consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide. In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to reduce the growing financial burden on parents.
Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies.
“We must distinguish between true milestones and routine transitions,” the ministers said.
“By limiting formal graduations to exit classes, we are shielding parents from frequent, high-cost celebrations that have become more of a burden than a joy.”
The policy further strengthens mechanisms for textbook assessment, quality assurance, selection, and usage across the country.
The ministers said it responds to long-standing concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions that force parents to buy new editions annually without meaningful improvements in content.
“We are ending the era of superficial revisions that add no real educational value,” the ministers stated.
“Nigerian learners deserve instructional materials that meet international standards of quality, relevance, and durability.”
A key provision of the policy introduces structured and meaningful revision cycles, requiring that any textbook updates reflect substantial content improvements rather than minor layout or pagination changes.
The framework also places limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with global best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“This will improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection for schools and education authorities,” the ministers added.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will continue to play a central role in evaluating and approving instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure that only curriculum-aligned, high-quality textbooks are used nationwide.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to education reform, noting that the policy aims to restore affordability, protect parents, promote equity, and ensure that students across Nigeria have access to durable learning materials that support effective teaching and learning.
