The Federal Government has actually examined downward the costs charged for textbook evaluation and ranking, with publishers who formerly paid the old rates set to get refunds.
The Nigerian Educational Research Study and Development Council (NERDC) announced the decision in a statement provided on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu.
According to the council, the assessment charge has been lowered from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the fee for ranking textbook titles has actually been cut from N1 million to N750,000.
Shehu stated the revised charges take instant effect and are meant to minimize the monetary burden on publishers and authors preparing to take part in the Federal Government’s National Textbook Ranking System.
He likewise divulged that publishers who had already paid the previous evaluation charge would be reimbursed for the distinction.
According to the declaration, information of the refund procedure will be communicated in due course.
NERDC directed publishers and authors sending textbooks for examination to begin paying using the newly authorized rates.
The council advised stakeholders in the publishing industry to abide by the modified charge structure as preparations continue for the rollout of the National Book Ranking System.
The brand-new policy, scheduled to work in September 2026, forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the quality of educational products used in Nigerian schools.
Under the effort, only books that have actually been assessed, authorized and ranked by NERDC will receive usage in classrooms, while products that do not pass the evaluation procedure will not be recommended for schools.
When unveiling the policy, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the reform was presented to resolve the widespread usage of subpar books and ensure that learners and instructors have access to premium materials that align with the national curriculum.
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He explained that although NERDC would continue to perform its statutory role of authorizing textbooks, approval alone would no longer ensure classroom adoption. Rather, every approved title would go through a detailed examination and ranking by expert panels before getting final endorsement for use in schools.
The National Textbook Ranking System is among the education reforms being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Education under the Restored Hope Program to enhance quality assurance in the education sector.
Other initiatives presented by the ministry consist of nationwide learning assessments, the revitalisation of electronic libraries in Unity Colleges, growth of digital learning facilities and programs focused on reducing discovering poverty amongst Nigerian kids.
Education officials stated the book ranking policy is anticipated to raise standards in educational publishing, encourage healthy competition amongst publishers and ensure that schools adopt only premium learning resources.