The Federal Government has announced plans to ban unrated textbooks in primary and secondary schools across Nigeria beginning September 2026 as part of a new national education quality reform. The policy introduces a structured textbook ranking system to ensure only approved and assessed materials are used in classrooms. The move to eliminate unrated textbooks is aimed at standardising learning resources and improving education quality nationwide.
The policy forms part of broader reforms in Nigeria’s education sector designed to address concerns over substandard learning materials and inconsistent curriculum implementation. The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System covering primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its statutory role of approving textbooks, while a new evaluation structure will determine which approved books meet ranking standards for classroom use. Authorities say the reform is intended to improve learning outcomes, reduce the circulation of substandard materials, and ensure alignment with national curriculum standards.
Under the new framework, only textbooks that pass a structured national ranking process will be permitted for use in schools. The Ministry of Education stated that “approved textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level.”
The policy also provides that only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks will be approved for each subject to improve quality control and consistency in teaching materials across the country. Officials further stated that “any textbook not ranked will not be permitted for use, regardless of prior licensing status,” making compliance mandatory for all schools.
The ranking process will be carried out by Standing Subject Committees composed of education experts tasked with assessing textbooks based on academic and pedagogical standards. Implementation of the policy is scheduled to begin in September 2026 following stakeholder consultations and finalisation of the evaluation framework.
The ban on unrated textbooks is expected to significantly reduce the circulation of low-quality instructional materials in schools. It may also streamline textbook selection processes for educators and reduce inconsistency in classroom teaching materials across states. The policy could also reshape the textbook publishing industry, as publishers will be required to meet stricter evaluation and ranking criteria before their materials are approved for nationwide use.
