The Federal Government has unveiled a new education policy aimed at easing the financial burden on parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability through the compulsory use of durable, reusable textbooks in schools.
The policy was jointly announced by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years. The policy also prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a move the government says will encourage reuse across multiple academic sessions.
According to the ministers, the initiative will allow siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents, and minimise waste within the school system.
As part of the reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide.
In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to reduce financial pressure on families. Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies, effectively banning such events for pre-primary classes and other levels.
The ministers explained that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials across the country. It addresses long-standing concerns over frequent but superficial textbook revisions that force parents to purchase new books annually without meaningful improvements in content.
A major feature of the policy is the introduction of structured and purposeful revision cycles. Textbook updates, the government said, must reflect substantial content improvements rather than minor cosmetic changes, thereby extending the lifespan of approved materials and offering better value for money.
The framework also limits the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania. This, the ministers noted, is expected to enhance quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection for schools and education authorities.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to oversee the evaluation and approval of instructional materials, working with relevant agencies to ensure full alignment with the national curriculum.
Reaffirming its commitment to education reform, the Federal Government praised the Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other partners for their roles in developing the policy, stressing its resolve to uphold educational standards, promote equity, cut costs for parents, and guarantee access to quality learning materials for students nationwide.
