The Federal Government has reviewed downward the fees charged for textbook evaluation and ranking, with publishers who formerly paid the old rates set to receive refunds.
The Nigerian Educational Research Study and Development Council (NERDC) revealed the decision in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu.
According to the council, the assessment cost has been decreased from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the cost for ranking book titles has been cut from N1 million to N750,000.
Shehu stated the modified charges take instant result and are meant to minimize the financial burden on publishers and authors preparing to take part in the Federal Government’s National Book Ranking System.
He likewise divulged that publishers who had actually currently paid the previous assessment charge would be compensated for the distinction.
According to the declaration, details of the refund process will be interacted in due course.
NERDC directed publishers and authors sending books for assessment to start making payments using the freshly approved rates.
The council advised stakeholders in the publishing market to abide by the revised fee structure as preparations continue for the rollout of the National Textbook Ranking System.
The brand-new policy, set up to take effect in September 2026, forms part of the Federal government’s efforts to enhance the quality of instructional materials used in Nigerian schools.
Under the effort, just textbooks that have actually been assessed, authorized and ranked by NERDC will get approved for use in class, while products that do not pass the assessment process will not be advised for schools.
When unveiling the policy, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the reform was presented to deal with the prevalent use of subpar textbooks and make sure that learners and instructors have access to high-quality materials that align with the national curriculum.
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He explained that although NERDC would continue to perform its statutory function of approving textbooks, approval alone would no longer ensure class adoption. Instead, every authorized title would go through a thorough evaluation and ranking by professional panels before receiving last recommendation for usage in schools.
The National Textbook Ranking System is among the education reforms being executed by the Federal Ministry of Education under the Restored Hope Program to enhance quality control in the education sector.
Other initiatives presented by the ministry include nationwide learning assessments, the revitalisation of electronic libraries in Unity Colleges, growth of digital knowing infrastructure and programs focused on lowering finding out hardship amongst Nigerian children.
Education authorities said the textbook ranking policy is expected to raise requirements in educational publishing, motivate healthy competition among publishers and make sure that schools adopt just top quality learning resources.