The Federal Government has introduced a new policy framework designed to ease the financial burden on parents, enhance learning outcomes, and promote sustainability in schools through the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks.
The policy was announced on Friday by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing efforts to reform and reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the ministers, the initiative places emphasis on standardised and durable textbooks with a lifespan of between four and six years, while banning the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
“This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across multiple academic sessions,” they said, noting that the policy would enable siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents, and minimise waste within the school system.
In addition to the textbook reforms, the Federal Government has adopted a uniform academic calendar aimed at promoting consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.
The ministers also revealed that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined under the new policy to reduce financial pressure on families. Under the revised guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) will be allowed to organise graduation ceremonies.
This was revealed in a statement by the Director Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, on Friday, January 9.
The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools through the adoption of reusable, high-quality textbooks and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms.
“The policy, jointly issued by the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa and the Honourable Minister of State for Education Prof Suiwaba Sai’d, forms part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and ease the financial burden on families.
“The Ministers explained that the policy prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools. This approach is intended to ensure that learning materials can be reused across multiple academic sessions.
“According to them, the initiative allows siblings to share textbooks, significantly lowers recurring education costs for parents, and reduces waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.
“As part of broader sector reforms, they noted that the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.
“In addition, the Ministers stated that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents. Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
READ ALSO: FG Dismisses Rumoured Nationwide School Shutdown
“The Ministers further emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide. The reforms respond to longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions, weak ranking standards, and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without corresponding improvements in content or learning outcomes.
“A key provision of the policy is the introduction of structured and meaningful revision cycles. Under the new framework, textbook revisions must reflect substantive improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, thereby extending the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensuring better value for money.
“The Ministers also highlighted that the policy introduces limits on 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 measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities.
“The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working closely with relevant education agencies to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools nationwide.
“The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to education renewal and reform and commended Universal Basic Education Commission, NERDC, and other technical partners, for their contributions to the development of the new policy framework.
“The Ministers reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning outcomes.”
