The Federal Government has unveiled a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance and standardise learning materials across Nigeria’s education sector.

The new policy aims to curb the proliferation of textbooks in schools and ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials are approved for classroom use.

The development was announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmad.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, under the new framework, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will retain its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks for use in Nigerian schools.

However, beyond the approval process, textbooks will now undergo a structured national evaluation and ranking to determine the most suitable and highest-quality options for each subject and level of education.

According to the ministers, the reform is designed to improve quality control and bring order to the nation’s textbook system by limiting the number of approved textbooks per subject.

It noted that, to drive the process, NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees composed of experts in various subject areas to conduct detailed reviews of textbooks submitted by publishers.

The statement said that committees are expected to assess the books based on established academic and pedagogical standards before recommending them for ranking and approval.

It said only a limited number of textbooks will be ranked and approved for use in schools for each subject under the new policy, a move it said would improve consistency in teaching and learning materials nationwide.

The statement noted that the current large volume of textbooks in circulation has often created confusion among teachers, students and parents, with varying standards affecting effective learning delivery.

It said the ranking system would bring greater transparency, order and quality assurance into the textbook approval process while aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices in instructional material standardisation.

The statement said under the policy, NERDC will continue to license textbooks, but any book not ranked under the new system will no longer be allowed for use in schools, regardless of any previous licensing status.

It also said it would embark on sensitisation for teachers, publishers and other stakeholders to ensure awareness and compliance with the new framework.

The statement added that implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System is expected to begin in the September 2026 academic session after the constitution of the Standing Subject Committees and completion of the evaluation framework.

It maintained that the reform is part of broader efforts to improve the quality of education delivery, enhance learning outcomes and ensure Nigerian students have access to the best learning resources