Nigeria's New Book Ranking Policy Faces Industry Backlash

The Nigerian Ministry of Education has announced a new national book ranking policy, set to take effect on September 18, 2026. This policy will limit the number of approved textbooks to the top seven per subject and impose a three-year ban on unranked books in primary and secondary schools.

The initiative aims to reduce the excessive number of textbooks currently in circulation, which has created confusion among teachers, students, and parents. The policy is designed to ensure quality and standardization in the educational materials used in Nigerian schools, aligning with international best practices.

However, it has sparked controversy, with the Nigerian Publishers Association expressing concerns that the policy will unfairly advantage a few financially solvent publishing firms while destabilizing the industry and leading to job losses. Stakeholders have called for a halt to the policy's implementation and an inquiry into its rationale, arguing that it contradicts the government's goal of increasing access to affordable education.