The Federal Government has introduced a new policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting environmental sustainability through the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in Nigerian schools.
The policy, issued on January 9, 2026, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id, forms part of ongoing reforms to reposition the education sector and ease financial pressure on families.
Under the new framework, textbooks are to be standardised and produced with durable materials designed to last between four and six years. The policy also expressly prohibits the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government says has contributed to rising education costs and increased waste.
According to the ministers, the reforms will allow textbooks to be reused across multiple academic sessions, enable siblings to share learning materials, significantly reduce recurrent expenses for parents, and support environmental sustainability.
The policy also introduces a uniform academic calendar nationwide to enhance consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning. In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined, with only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) permitted to hold such events.
To address concerns over frequent cosmetic revisions of textbooks, the framework strengthens assessment, selection, and quality assurance processes for instructional materials. Structured revision cycles will now require substantive content improvements, while limits have been placed on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to lead the quality assurance of textbooks nationwide. The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to reforms that promote equity, access, and the availability of high-quality instructional materials across the country.
