The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed claims circulating in public discourse that a History textbook titled Living History has been approved for use in Nigerian schools, describing such reports as misleading.
In a press statement issued on 2 February 2026, the Ministry clarified that the textbook is not approved and has never been recommended for use in any Nigerian school by the Federal Government.
According to the Ministry, Living History was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for reviewing, evaluating and approving instructional materials in line with the national curriculum. As a result, the book was neither assessed nor recommended by NERDC and does not appear on the official list of approved History textbooks.
The clarification follows public debates and reports alleging the exclusion of Igbo content from the textbook, as well as claims that it had been endorsed for nationwide use. The Ministry stated that these narratives were unfounded.
After consultations with the leadership of NERDC and a review of the officially endorsed list of textbooks aligned with the new curriculum, the Ministry said it was confirmed that Living History is not among the approved instructional materials.
The Ministry urged parents, teachers, school proprietors and administrators to disregard speculation and refrain from using the textbook in schools, warning that the adoption of unapproved instructional materials could undermine curriculum standards and negatively affect teaching quality and learning outcomes.
It reiterated that all approved textbooks comply strictly with the national curriculum and are designed to reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity, shared history and core national values, while promoting inclusivity, balance and unity.
The public was also encouraged to verify the approval status of educational materials through official channels before adoption. Stakeholders were advised to consult NERDC for accurate and up to date information on approved textbooks.
The statement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
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