FG Reduces Textbook Assessment Fees, Orders Refunds as Nigeria Advances National Ranking Reform.
The Federal Government has reduced fees for the assessment and ranking of school textbooks and directed the refund of excess payments made by publishers, in a move aimed at easing concerns over the financial burden associated with Nigeria’s new national textbook ranking policy.
The development follows concerns raised by publishers over the cost implications of the Federal Government’s new framework for assessing and ranking instructional materials for use in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.
The policy, implemented through the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), is designed to strengthen quality assurance, standardize learning materials and ensure that only textbooks meeting approved academic and curriculum standards are used in Nigerian schools.
Under the revised framework, textbooks are required to undergo assessment and, where applicable, reassessment and ranking based on updated quality benchmarks. The exercise is being conducted in phases, with the initial phase covering selected classes including Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1 and SS 1.
The government’s decision to reduce the assessment fees and refund excess payments is expected to provide relief to publishers who had expressed concern that the earlier fee structure could increase production costs and eventually raise the price of textbooks for families and learners.
The Nigerian Publishers Association had previously criticized aspects of the ranking policy, warning that higher assessment and ranking costs could place pressure on publishers, reduce competition and contribute to increased textbook prices. The association also questioned the potential impact of limiting classroom use to a smaller number of highly ranked titles.
However, the Federal Government has maintained that the reform is intended to address the proliferation of textbooks and improve the quality of instructional materials available to millions of Nigerian learners.
The new ranking system represents a significant shift from the traditional textbook approval process, with the government seeking to move beyond basic approval toward a structured evaluation of the quality, relevance and suitability of learning materials.
The fee reduction and refund directive could therefore help address some of the concerns raised by industry stakeholders while allowing the government to continue with its broader objective of improving standards in Nigeria’s education sector.
The implementation of the policy will remain closely watched by publishers, educators, parents and other stakeholders, particularly as the country seeks to balance quality assurance with affordability and access to learning materials.