National Textbook Ranking System Effective Sept -Education Ministry

The Federal Government has approved a new National Textbook Ranking System (NTRS), introducing a nationwide framework that will ensure only nationally evaluated and approved textbooks are used in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools from September 2026.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry of Education said the reform is aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning by introducing a transparent, merit-based process for selecting instructional materials.

The ministry said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and will establish a quality-driven system that brings Nigeria’s textbook approval process in line with international standards while ensuring learners have access to credible, curriculum-aligned learning resources.

According to the statement, the new policy is expected to strengthen curriculum implementation, improve learning outcomes, promote equitable access to quality instructional materials, eliminate substandard textbooks and restore confidence in the country’s education system.

To implement the policy, the ministry has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee comprising representatives of relevant education agencies and experts. Working with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the committee will evaluate only textbooks that have already obtained NERDC licences before recommending the highest-ranked titles for approval.

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The ministry explained that NERDC licensing alone will no longer qualify a textbook for classroom use.

“Every licensed textbook must undergo a rigorous national evaluation and ranking process, attain a minimum score of 70 per cent and satisfy prescribed academic, pedagogical, technical and quality assurance standards before it can be approved,” the statement said.

It added that only the best-performing textbooks would be selected, with approved titles for each subject limited to between six and 10, depending on curriculum requirements.

The ministry also announced a reduction in assessment and ranking fees for publishers and authors. It said the assessment fee has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been cut from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title.

Publishers who previously paid the old rates will receive refunds of the excess payments, with details of the reimbursement process to be communicated by NERDC.

From September 2026, only textbooks evaluated, ranked and approved under the National Textbook Ranking System will be permitted for use in public schools across the country. Approved textbooks will remain valid for a minimum of three years to ensure stability in curriculum delivery.

The ministry said implementation of the policy would be monitored through NERDC and other regulatory agencies, warning that schools, publishers and authors who fail to comply could face sanctions, including blacklisting.

It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing Nigerian learners with high-quality instructional materials capable of improving teaching standards, learning outcomes and the overall quality of education.