The Federal Government has approved the National Textbook Ranking System (NTRS), a new policy that will ensure only nationally evaluated, ranked and approved textbooks are used in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across the country from September 2026.
Announcing the reform in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is aimed at improving the quality of learning materials, strengthening curriculum delivery and eliminating substandard textbooks from Nigerian classrooms.
“The National Textbook Ranking System is a transformative policy that will revolutionise the selection and deployment of instructional materials in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Alausa said.
According to the minister, the new framework introduces, for the first time, a transparent, merit-based and quality-driven national process for approving textbooks, bringing Nigeria’s textbook selection system in line with international best practices.
He said the policy would improve learning outcomes, promote equitable access to quality instructional materials and restore public confidence in the country’s education system.
Under the new arrangement, the Ministry of Education has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee made up of representatives of relevant education agencies and subject experts. The committee will work with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to evaluate textbooks that have already obtained NERDC licences before recommending the highest-ranked titles for ministerial approval.
Alausa explained that obtaining a NERDC licence would no longer be sufficient for classroom use.
“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 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 minister also announced a reduction in assessment and ranking fees for 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 cut 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,” he said.
Alausa said the policy would take effect in September 2026, after which only textbooks evaluated, ranked and approved under the National Textbook Ranking System would be authorised for use in public schools nationwide.
He noted that approved textbooks would remain valid for a minimum of three years to ensure stability in curriculum implementation.
The minister warned that schools, publishers and authors that fail to comply with the new policy would face sanctions.
“The use of unapproved textbooks will attract sanctions, including the blacklisting of defaulting authors, publishers and schools.”
The Federal Ministry of Education said implementation of the policy would be monitored by the NERDC and other relevant regulatory agencies as part of efforts to improve educational standards and provide Nigerian learners with high-quality instructional materials.