The federal government has unveiled a new national textbook policy aimed at cutting the cost of education for Nigerian families while improving the quality and durability of learning materials used in schools.

The policy, jointly issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d, introduces reusable, standardised textbooks designed to last several academic years. Officials say the move responds to growing concerns from parents, educators, and education advocates over rising school-related expenses and declining textbook quality.

Unveiled in Abuja, the framework marks a significant shift away from the long-standing practice that required parents to purchase new textbooks annually, often with minimal changes in content.

According to the ministers, the new textbooks will be produced to last between four and six years, allowing them to be shared by siblings or passed down to other students. Schools will also be barred from bundling disposable workbooks with core textbooks, a practice that has been widely criticised for inflating costs.

“This reform allows textbooks to be reused across multiple academic sessions,” the ministers said, adding that the policy would reduce recurrent expenses for households while promoting environmental sustainability through reduced paper waste.

Addressing a persistent cost burden

For years, parents across Nigeria have complained about the financial strain caused by frequent textbook replacements, especially in private schools and some public institutions. Many books were revised annually with little more than cosmetic changes, forcing families to buy new copies regardless of whether the academic content had meaningfully improved.

Education analysts say the new policy directly tackles this issue by introducing structured revision cycles that require genuine updates to content rather than superficial redesigns.

“A major pillar of the reform is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles,” the ministers explained. “Textbook revisions must now reflect substantive improvements in content, not minor changes in layout or pagination.”

According to reports from education stakeholders, this practice had gradually turned textbooks into consumable items rather than long-term learning tools, undermining affordability and access, particularly for low-income families.

Wider reforms beyond textbooks

The textbook initiative forms part of a broader set of measures designed to standardise learning and reduce unnecessary spending across the education system.

One of the key changes is the introduction of a uniform academic calendar nationwide. Education officials say this will improve coordination in teaching schedules, examinations, and school planning, especially for students who move between states or school systems.

The government has also introduced new guidelines on graduation ceremonies, limiting them to pupils completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3, and Senior Secondary School 3. The policy effectively ends graduation events for nursery and lower primary classes, which parents have long criticised as costly and excessive.

According to the ministry, the decision is intended to reduce financial pressure on families while refocusing schools on academic achievement rather than ceremonial displays.

Improving quality and oversight

Beyond cost reduction, the policy places strong emphasis on improving textbook quality and accountability within the publishing process.

To achieve this, the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level will be limited. Officials say this aligns Nigeria with international best practices in countries such as

Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania, where tighter controls have helped raise standards and simplify textbook selection for schools.

Education experts note that Nigeria’s previous open-ended approval system often flooded the market with substandard materials, making it difficult for schools to identify high-quality options.

Under the new framework, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, will continue to play a central role in evaluating and approving instructional materials. The council will work closely with other relevant agencies to ensure that all approved textbooks strictly align with the national curriculum.

According to the ministry, this strengthened oversight is expected to restore confidence in classroom materials and support more effective teaching and learning outcomes.

Why the policy matters now

The announcement comes at a time when inflation and economic pressures have pushed education costs higher for many Nigerian households. School fees, uniforms, transportation, and learning materials have all become more expensive, leading some families to withdraw children from private schools or struggle to keep them enrolled.

By targeting textbooks, one of the most consistent recurring expenses in basic and secondary education, the government hopes to ease some of this pressure while ensuring that learning standards are not compromised.

Education policy analysts say the timing is significant, as Nigeria continues to grapple with learning gaps worsened by past school closures and uneven access to quality materials.

A senior education consultant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the policy could improve learning continuity if properly enforced. According to the consultant, durable textbooks that remain in classrooms longer allow teachers to plan lessons more effectively and reduce disruptions caused by frequent curriculum resets.

Implementation and what to watch next

While the policy has been widely welcomed, stakeholders say its success will depend on enforcement at the school level, particularly in private institutions where textbook sales have often been tied to revenue generation.

Parents and education advocates will be watching closely to see how compliance is monitored and whether sanctions will be applied to schools that continue banned practices such as compulsory workbook purchases.

There are also questions about how existing textbooks will be phased out and whether publishers will adjust pricing models to reflect longer usage cycles.

The education ministry has commended agencies such as the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, NERDC, and other technical partners for their roles in developing the policy, signalling that further implementation guidelines may follow.

“The federal government remains resolute in safeguarding educational standards, promoting equity, reducing costs for parents, and ensuring that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning,” the ministers said.

If effectively implemented, the reusable textbook policy could mark one of the most practical education reforms in recent years, addressing affordability, quality, and sustainability at once. It represents a shift toward treating textbooks as long-term public goods rather than annual consumer items.

As schools prepare to adjust to the new rules, the coming academic sessions will test whether the policy delivers on its promise to reduce costs while strengthening learning outcomes nationwide.