FG Launches New Textbook Policy to Cut Costs, Promote Sustainability in Schools

 

Government Mandates Reusable Textbooks, Streamlines Academic Calendar and Graduation Ceremonies as Part of Education Reforms

In a major move to ease the financial burden on families and enhance learning standards, the Federal Government has announced a new policy mandating the use of durable, reusable textbooks in all schools across Nigeria. The policy was jointly unveiled on Friday, January 9, 2026, by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id.

The initiative is designed to significantly reduce the recurring costs parents face each school year while promoting environmental sustainability. Under the new framework, all approved textbooks must be of high quality and built to last between four to six years. A key provision bans the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, ensuring that core learning materials can be reused by multiple students over several academic sessions.

"This policy will allow textbooks to be shared among siblings and across school years, cutting down expenses for parents and reducing educational waste," said Dr. Alausa. "It is part of our broader reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education system for equity, quality, and sustainability."

The government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to standardise the school year nationwide, bringing consistency to teaching, learning, and administrative planning.

Additionally, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined. Henceforth, only pupils completing Primary 6, JSS3, and SSS3 will be permitted to hold formal graduation events—a measure aimed at curbing extravagant spending and keeping the focus on learning milestones.

To tackle concerns over frequent but superficial textbook revisions, the policy enforces structured revision cycles that require meaningful content upgrades before new editions are approved. It also limits the number of textbooks per subject and grade level, aligning with international best practices.

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will oversee the strengthened quality assurance process, ensuring that instructional materials meet rigorous standards before adoption.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all Nigerian children have access to quality, affordable learning materials as part of the nation’s education transformation agenda.

Signed:
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Education
January 9, 2026