FG Moves to Ban Unrated Textbooks in Schools by September 2026

FELICIA ONAH, Abuja

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to enforce stricter quality control in the education sector by introducing a national ranking system for textbooks, with a clear directive that only approved and ranked materials will be allowed in schools from September 2026.

The initiative, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, is aimed at addressing concerns over the widespread use of substandard and non-compliant learning materials in classrooms across the country.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the policy will apply to textbooks used in primary, junior and senior secondary schools.

It explained that the reform is designed to improve learning standards by ensuring that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned books are accessible to students.

Central to the new system is the role of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, which will continue to approve textbooks but will now subject them to an additional national ranking process. This process, the government said, will determine the most suitable books for each subject and level.

“Approved textbooks will now undergo a structured national ranking process to identify the most suitable options for each subject and level,” the statement noted.

To drive the process, the NERDC is expected to set up Standing Subject Committees made up of education experts who will evaluate books using defined academic and teaching standards. Only a select number of top-performing textbooks will make the final list for use in schools nationwide.

The government made it clear that the new policy marks a shift from previous practices, stating that any textbook not ranked under the system would be barred from classrooms, regardless of earlier approvals.

“Under this policy, any textbook not ranked will not be permitted for use, regardless of prior licensing status,” the statement added.

Officials say the new framework will be implemented after consultations with key stakeholders, including publishers, educators, and school administrators, with full rollout scheduled for September next year.

The government reiterated its commitment to raising the standard of education and improving learning outcomes, noting that the reform is part of broader efforts to ensure that Nigerian students are equipped with reliable and high-quality instructional materials.