The Federal Government has announced plans to blacklist schools, publishers and authors that use or distribute unapproved textbooks in public schools as part of efforts to improve the quality of education across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while unveiling the National Textbook Ranking System, a new policy that will ensure only nationally evaluated and approved textbooks are used in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools from September 2026.
According to the Minister, the initiative introduces a transparent, merit-based and quality-driven framework for selecting instructional materials in line with international best practices.
He explained that the reform is designed to improve curriculum implementation, enhance learning outcomes, eliminate substandard textbooks and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
To oversee the process, the Federal Ministry of Education has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee made up of representatives from relevant education agencies and subject experts.
The committee, working with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), will evaluate only textbooks that have already received NERDC approval before recommending the highest-ranked titles for ministerial approval.
Dr. Alausa stressed that NERDC approval alone would no longer qualify a textbook for classroom use.
Under the new policy, every licensed textbook must undergo a rigorous national evaluation and ranking process, score at least 70 per cent, and meet prescribed academic, pedagogical, technical and quality assurance standards before it can be approved for use in public schools.
He added that only the highest-performing textbooks would be approved, with the number of recommended titles per subject limited to between six and ten, depending on curriculum requirements.
The Minister also announced a reduction in assessment and ranking fees to ease the financial burden on publishers and authors.
According to him, the assessment fee has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been lowered from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title. Publishers who had already paid the previous rates will receive refunds through the NERDC.
Dr. Alausa further stated that textbooks approved under the National Textbook Ranking System would remain valid for a minimum of three years to ensure stability and consistency in curriculum delivery.
He warned that from September 2026, only textbooks evaluated, ranked and approved under the new system would be authorised for use in public schools nationwide.
The Minister added that schools, publishers and other stakeholders are expected to comply fully, noting that the use of unapproved textbooks would attract sanctions, including the blacklisting of defaulting schools, publishers and authors.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing Nigerian learners with high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching, improved learning outcomes and better educational standards nationwide.
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