The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Ministry of Education's proposed classroom textbook ranking system for basic and secondary schools, labeling it a fundamental policy overreach with far-reaching consequences for the nation's education sector.
Policy Details and Reactions
The Ministry announced that the policy, set to take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, would be implemented by a committee formed outside the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for curriculum development and instructional material oversight.
Reacting to the development, NPA Executive Secretary Rotimi Iyiola stated that while the initiative is presented as a reform to improve learning outcomes and standardize textbook selection, it risks undermining established educational structures. He argued that textbooks are not creative works subject to competitive ranking but structured academic outputs developed in line with approved national curricula.
“The idea that textbooks can be ranked like awards in the creative arts sector is fundamentally flawed. Textbooks are the product of a regulated scientific and academic process anchored on the curriculum developed by the NERDC,” Iyiola said.
Concerns Over Regulatory Framework
The association emphasized that once textbooks are produced, they undergo a formal vetting process by the NERDC to ensure compliance with curriculum standards before approval for use in schools. Introducing an external ranking system would weaken this established regulatory framework.
The NPA also questioned the rationale for creating an additional committee to reassess textbooks already vetted and approved by the NERDC, describing the move as indicative of a lack of confidence in the council's statutory mandate. “It raises serious questions when a body created by an Act of Parliament, entrusted with curriculum development and quality assurance, has its processes effectively bypassed. This appears to be a vote of no confidence in an institution that has served Nigeria’s education system for decades,” the association noted.
Constitutional and Federalism Issues
Beyond institutional concerns, the NPA raised constitutional issues, noting that education falls under the Concurrent Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution, allowing both federal and state governments to play roles in educational administration. By centralizing textbook ranking at the federal level, the ministry risks encroaching on state authority over instructional materials within their jurisdictions. “The federal ministry’s role is expected to be coordinative and advisory, not directive or monopolistic. This approach shifts the balance of federalism from cooperation to control,” the group stated.
Transparency and Stakeholder Exclusion
The publishers also raised concerns over transparency in the proposed system, questioning the criteria for evaluating textbooks and the process for selecting committee members. Key operational details of the ranking exercise have not been made public. “Who appoints the committee? What safeguards exist against bias or undue influence? Why is a process affecting a national industry shielded from stakeholder scrutiny?” the association queried. It added that transparency must be demonstrated through clear standards, inclusive participation, and verifiable procedures, warning that closed systems undermine public trust.
The NPA further criticized the exclusion of key stakeholders, particularly publishers, from the policy formulation process. The publishing sector is central to the education value chain, comprising authors, editors, printers, distributors, and investors whose roles are critical to content production and delivery. Excluding such stakeholders raises serious concerns about fairness and inclusivity in policymaking.
Economic Impact on the Book Industry
On the economic front, the association warned that the policy could have significant consequences for Nigeria’s book industry, which operates as a complex value chain supporting thousands of jobs and investments. A centrally controlled ranking system could lead to market concentration where only selected textbooks dominate nationwide demand, potentially forcing out other publishers and triggering job losses in printing, logistics, and retail sectors.
The group also cautioned that reduced competition could discourage innovation, limit investment in new educational content, and distort the publishing industry’s market structure. Excessive standardisation could undermine academic diversity by limiting schools’ ability to choose materials suited to their specific needs, while also discouraging authors and publishers from investing in new works due to uncertain market access.
Call for Reconsideration
The NPA reiterated that while it supports efforts to improve education quality, such reforms must align with constitutional provisions, respect institutional boundaries, and promote economic sustainability. “The pursuit of quality education is non-negotiable, but it cannot be achieved through centralisation that excludes key stakeholders and undermines established systems,” the association stated.
It urged the ministry to reconsider the proposed policy and revert to the existing NERDC-led framework, which it described as more stable, inclusive, and constitutionally grounded.
