The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council), under the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced an extension of the deadline for the submission of textbooks and instructional materials for its 2026 Phase 1 assessment, reassessment, and ranking exercise.
In a public notice issued from its headquarters in Sheda, Abuja, the Council said the extension was approved by the Honourable Ministers of Education following requests from stakeholders in the book industry for additional time to comply with the requirements of the new policy framework.
According to the statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Salisu Shehu, the extension is aimed at ensuring that publishers, authors, printers, and other education stakeholders are able to meet the standards outlined in the Book Quality Guidelines and Submission Procedure available on the Council’s official website, [NERDC Official Website](https://www.nerdc.gov.ng?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
The Council explained that the 2026 textbook assessment exercise will be conducted in three phases: Phase 1 covering Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1, and SS1; Phase 2 covering Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2, and SS2; and Phase 3 covering Primary 3, Primary 6, JSS 3, and SS3.
It further stated that all textbooks, including those previously assessed, must undergo fresh submission for either assessment or reassessment. This, it said, is necessary due to new policy directions introducing a ranking system into the textbook approval process.
“All textbooks that are to undergo the ranking process shall be assessed first based on the improved assessment process, standards, and newly approved benchmarks,” the Council noted.
The new deadline for Phase 1 submissions, which was earlier fixed for June 19, 2026, has now been extended to July 3, 2026. The Council, however, emphasized that the extension is final and no further deadline shift will be granted.
It warned that submissions received after the new deadline will not be considered for assessment, reassessment, or ranking in the current phase, urging stakeholders to take full advantage of the extended window.
The Council added that all other guidelines, payment procedures, and submission requirements remain unchanged and must be strictly adhered to, while assessment and ranking of submitted materials are expected to be concluded by July 31, 2026.
Stakeholders in the education and publishing sectors have been advised to direct all correspondence to the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Sheda, P.M.B. 91, Garki, FCT-Abuja.
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