The Federal Government has announced a 25 per cent reduction in textbook assessment fees as part of preparations for the nationwide implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System scheduled to begin in September 2026. The adjustment, announced by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), is expected to reduce costs for publishers and authors while encouraging broader participation in the new textbook evaluation programme.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Council said the assessment fee has been reduced from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the fee for textbook ranking has been lowered from N1 million to N750,000 per title.
According to the Council, the revised charges take immediate effect, and all publishers and authors seeking textbook assessment and national ranking are expected to comply with the new payment structure. NERDC also disclosed that publishers who previously paid the former assessment fee of N2,000 per page would receive refunds for the excess payments. Details of the refund process, it said, will be communicated to affected stakeholders.
The reduction in textbook assessment fees comes ahead of the launch of the National Textbook Ranking System, one of the education reforms introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
Beginning in September 2026, only textbooks that have successfully undergone assessment, approval and national ranking by NERDC will be eligible for use in Nigerian schools. Education authorities explained that books that fail to secure a national ranking will no longer qualify for classroom use under the new policy.
NERDC stated that while it will continue performing its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks, approval alone will no longer guarantee classroom adoption.
Instead, every approved publication will undergo an extensive national evaluation conducted by expert panels. The assessment will examine content quality, alignment with the national curriculum, pedagogical effectiveness, factual accuracy and overall suitability before assigning a national ranking. The Council said the ranking system is designed to provide schools, teachers, parents and education administrators with credible guidance when selecting textbooks for different subjects and educational levels.
According to NERDC, the National Textbook Ranking System is intended to eliminate the widespread use of substandard and duplicated textbooks while promoting high-quality instructional materials that meet national education standards. The Council added that lowering textbook assessment fees forms part of broader efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new quality assurance framework and encourage greater participation from publishers and authors across the country.
