FG Reviews Textbook Fees Ahead of National Ranking System

The Federal Government has reduced the cost of assessing and ranking textbooks as preparations continue for the launch of the National Textbook Ranking System scheduled for September 2026.

The decision, announced by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), is expected to reduce financial pressure on publishers and authors while encouraging more of them to participate in the new textbook evaluation process.

According to NERDC, the assessment fee has been reduced by 25 per cent. The cost has dropped from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the fee for ranking each textbook title has been lowered from N1 million to N750,000.

The council directed publishers and authors seeking assessment and ranking for their books to begin making payments using the new rates with immediate effect.

NERDC also disclosed that publishers who had already paid the previous assessment fee of N2,000 per page would receive refunds for the excess amount. The council said details of the refund process would be announced later.

The fee reduction forms part of preparations for the National Textbook Ranking System, one of the education reforms introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to improve the quality of learning materials used in schools across the country.

Under the new policy, which will begin in September 2026, only textbooks that have passed assessment, received approval and obtained a national ranking from NERDC will be allowed for use in Nigerian schools. Any textbook that fails to secure a national ranking will no longer qualify for classroom use.

Education authorities believe the initiative will reduce the circulation of poor-quality and duplicated textbooks while ensuring that learners and teachers have access to books that meet national curriculum standards.

NERDC explained that its responsibility for approving textbooks will remain in place, but approval alone will no longer be enough for a book to be used in schools. Every approved textbook will also pass through a detailed national evaluation before receiving a ranking.

The evaluation process will be handled by expert panels that will examine the quality of content, alignment with the national curriculum, teaching value, accuracy and overall suitability before assigning a ranking.

According to the council, the ranking system will provide schools, teachers, parents and education administrators with a trusted guide when choosing textbooks for different subjects and levels of education.

NERDC added that reducing the assessment and ranking fees is part of efforts to ensure a smooth introduction of the new nationwide quality assurance system while encouraging more publishers and authors to submit their books for evaluation.