The Federal Government has unveiled plans to prohibit the use of unrated textbooks in Nigerian schools starting from September 2026, as part of a broader effort to improve education quality and standardisation nationwide.
This development was announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, through a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the ministry, the new policy introduces a National Textbook Ranking System that will evaluate and rank books used in primary, junior, and senior secondary schools across the country.
“The initiative is aimed at addressing the growing concern over the widespread use of substandard learning materials in schools,” the statement said.
“It will ensure that only textbooks that meet required academic and curriculum standards are recommended for use.”
Under the new framework, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will continue to approve textbooks but will also oversee a structured ranking process. This process will involve subject-based committees made up of education experts tasked with assessing books based on quality, relevance, and teaching effectiveness.
“Approved textbooks will undergo a comprehensive evaluation, and only the highest-ranked options will be selected for classroom use,” the ministry explained.
The government further stressed that any textbook not included in the ranking system would be disallowed in schools, regardless of whether it had previously received official approval.
“Any textbook that is not ranked under the new system will not be permitted for use, irrespective of its earlier licensing status,” the statement added.
The ministry noted that consultations with key stakeholders are ongoing and that the evaluation criteria are being finalised ahead of the policy rollout.
Reaffirming its commitment to education reform, the government said the initiative is expected to enhance learning outcomes by ensuring students have access to high-quality and curriculum-compliant instructional materials.
