The Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria has approved a list of textbooks for use in primary and secondary schools, covering Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1, and Senior Secondary School 1 from 2026 to 2028. This follows the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise. The ministry announced the release of the approved list in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
Each approved textbook has been assigned a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, which includes details such as title, author, publisher, and year of publication. This tracking mechanism aims to improve transparency in the selection and procurement of instructional materials. The exercise was supervised by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with Alausa giving final approval to the list.
The introduction of the Ranking/QR Tracking Code is a significant step towards strengthening the monitoring and control of approved instructional materials. The ministry noted that generating and assigning unique codes to each ranked textbook contributed to the time taken to complete and validate the approved list. This process ensures that learners and teachers have access to quality, relevant, and curriculum-aligned instructional materials.
The national ranking exercise will be conducted in phases, with the next phase covering four other class levels: Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2, and SS 2. The same identification and tracking measures will apply to the subsequent phase. The ministry directed publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies, and other stakeholders to rely on the approved list when selecting or purchasing textbooks for the classes covered by the first phase.
The Federal Government's effort to improve the quality of learning materials and ensure that textbooks used in schools are relevant to the approved curriculum is ongoing. The exercise forms part of this commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability in textbook provision across Nigerian schools. The ministry encourages all stakeholders to adhere to the approved list in providing and using textbooks for the specified classes.
The complete 2026–2028 list, including the Ranking/QR Tracking Code assigned to each approved textbook, has been made available by the ministry through its designated platform. This move aims to ensure that stakeholders have access to the approved list and can make informed decisions when selecting and procuring textbooks.
The Federal Ministry of Education's initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of education in Nigeria. By introducing a tracking mechanism and ensuring that textbooks are relevant to the approved curriculum, the ministry aims to improve learning outcomes and strengthen the education system.
Key points
- The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a QR tracking system for approved textbooks.
- The approved textbooks are for use in primary and secondary schools from 2026 to 2028.
- The exercise is part of the government's effort to improve the quality of learning materials and ensure transparency in textbook provision.
