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The Nigerian government has introduced a new policy framework to reduce the financial burden on parents, improve learning outcomes, and promote sustainability in schools by using reusable, high-quality textbooks.
The policy was unveiled on Friday by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suiwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised, durable textbooks that last between four and six years. The policy also bans the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice officials said has increased recurring education costs for parents.
According to the ministers, the initiative is intended to allow learning materials to be reused across multiple academic sessions, enable siblings to share textbooks, and reduce waste within the school system.
They said the reforms address long-standing complaints about frequent textbook changes that offer little improvement in content but compel parents to purchase new books annually.
The policy introduces structured revision cycles, requiring that any textbook updates reflect meaningful improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination.
This, the ministers said, will extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensure better value for money.
It also places limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ministers said the move would improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection for schools and education authorities.
They added that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to lead the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure alignment with the national curriculum.
As part of the broader reforms, the Nigerian government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.
Graduation ceremonies have also been streamlined under the new guidelines. Only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3, and Senior Secondary School 3 will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies, a measure aimed at easing financial pressure on families.
The education ministry commended the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners for their roles in developing the framework, reaffirming its commitment to improving education quality, promoting equity, and reducing costs for parents across the country.
