What textbook rankings mean and why they matter

The rollout of the new textbook ranking system, meant to begin in September 2026, will obviously reshape Nigeria’s education ecosystem, with far-reaching implications for learning outcomes.

Some stakeholders are concerned about how the policy will be implemented and what the new norm means.

What does a textbook ranking mean

Ranking, by definition, places books on a comparative scale with others, assigning status based on selected criteria. But it does not automatically improve content quality. Ranking at its best classifies, and at its lowest, fuels institutionalised bias.

Moshood Oshunfurewa, a public affairs analyst, emphasised that the metrics used for ranking may reflect prevailing bureaucratic or ideological preferences rather than genuine educational merit, and that if not designed with transparency and integrity, such metrics can elevate books that conform to dominant interests while overlooking innovative and culturally relevant works.

Besides, with textbook ranking in place, parents and guardians will be in the know of the books their children will use at least for the specified years before a renewal.

Hence, textbooks will no longer become useless once a child passes a certain class.

Policy implementation

According to a statement signed by Salisu Shehu, executive secretary at Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Federal Ministry of Education has set up a standing committee to streamline book approval processes, standardise selection, and effectively regulate the textbook market towards ensuring that the best books are used by learners for improved learning outcomes.

The ministry recognises that the ranking and selection of books will play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of education in Nigeria. This layer in the book assessment and approval process will ensure that only the most relevant, accurate, affordable, and available books are adopted for use in schools.

“The book ranking and selection committee shall operate under a structured framework to ensure transparency, consistency, and objectivity in the execution of its responsibilities.

“The duties of the committee shall not overlap or replace those of the NERDC, which is statutorily empowered to regulate the book industry,” the statement reads.

The steps in the book ranking process include the committee receiving assessed and approved books from NERDC, ranking and selection shall be conducted in a designated venue outside of public interference, and book ranking shall be carried out through a systematic process with strict adherence to transparency and objectivity based on the ranking template.

Besides, the committee shall, after ranking, make clear recommendations regarding the ranking and selection of books, providing detailed reasons and justifications for each decision. The list of ranked books shall then be submitted to the Minister of Education for approval, and then, formal communication shall be issued to the states by the NERDC

Moreover, “Textbook selection and ranking shall be conducted at least every three years or after a new curriculum is introduced and implemented, but must be done before the academic year begins.

“To ensure effectiveness and achieve time-bound results, a workflow plan has been developed. The plan outlines the activities, timelines and responsibilities for the 2026 book ranking. The plan has been structured into phases to seamlessly achieve results. The phased approach is based on the approved curriculum implementation process.”

Argument against textbook ranking

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has decried the introduction of textbook ranking, describing it as a vote of no confidence in NERDC.

Rotimi Iyiola, executive secretary at NPA, in a statement, emphasised that the policy will distort rather than ensure standard or quality in Nigeria’s education system.

“The obvious errors of this policy, as set out below, make it an anomaly that must not be allowed to stand.

“We seek immediate jettisoning of this policy that we deem obnoxious and detrimental to the Nigerian educational system,” he said.

Moreover, the association said the policy is akin to reinventing the wheel to crash a perfectly working machine.

“The NPA, a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s book ecosystem, cannot lend support to this obviously ill-advised policy.

“The newly announced textbook ranking policy seems an obvious vote of ‘No confidence’ on NERDC’s curriculum guidelines and rigorous process of vetting books for Nigerian schools,” NPA noted.

Contents as key to learning

A concerned stakeholder emphasised the need for Nigeria to have a textbook ranking system, especially in basic and senior secondary schools.

“The government took the right step with the textbook ranking policy; there are all kinds of books being proliferated in schools across the country,” he said.

He emphasised the critical place of books in achieving quality learning, especially at the foundational level, but he decried that every Dick and Harry is publishing books.

“In Nigeria, books are used in schools without considering their contents. Content is critical to quality learning outcomes,” he noted.

He cited the case of Mary Udoka, the woman who, via a social media platform, called on the government to probe the suitability of the book she bought for her five-year-old son in Nursery 2, and take necessary regulatory and disciplinary measures to safeguard Nigerian children.