FG Launches National Textbook Ranking

FG Launches National Textbook Ranking

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, says the Federal Government has approval the National Textbook Ranking System (NTRS), a landmark reform designed to ensure that only rigorously evaluated, nationally ranked and approved textbooks are used in schools.

He said primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across Nigeria will from September 2026, use only nationally ranked and approved textbooks.

Speaking in Abuja, Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a transformative policy that will revolutionise the selection and deployment of instructional materials for teaching and learning.

He said the new system establishes, for the first time, a transparent, merit based and quality driven national framework that aligns Nigeria’s textbook approval process with international best practices while guaranteeing every learner access to credible, curriculum aligned and high quality learning resources.

The minister believes that the National Textbook Ranking System will strengthen curriculum implementation, improve learning outcomes, promote equity in accessing quality instructional materials, eliminate the proliferation of substandard textbooks and restore public confidence in the nation’s education system.

According to Alausa, the ministry has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee comprising representatives of relevant education agencies and qualified experts.

They will work closely with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to assess only textbooks that have successfully met NERDC licensing requirements before recommending the highest ranked titles for the approval of the minister.

The minister explained that, under the new policy, 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,” he said.

He added that only the best textbooks will be adopted, with approved titles for each subject limited to between six and ten, depending on curriculum requirements.

Alausa further announced that a major relief for publishers and authors, saying NERDC has reduced assessment and ranking fees from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been reviewed downward from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title.

Publishers who previously paid the former rates will receive refunds of the excess payments, with reimbursement arrangements to be communicated by the Council.