The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools through the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks and enhanced quality assurance measures.

The policy, jointly unveiled by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id, forms part of wider reforms intended to reposition the country’s education sector and ease the financial burden on families.

According to the ministers, the framework prioritises standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

It also prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a move expected to allow materials to be reused across academic sessions and shared among siblings.

Officials say the policy will significantly lower recurring education costs for parents while reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability.

The government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country. In addition, graduation ceremonies have been streamlined, with only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School Year 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Year 3 (SSS3) permitted to hold such events.

The new framework strengthens the assessment, selection, and quality assurance of instructional materials, addressing long-standing concerns over frequent cosmetic textbook revisions that force parents to purchase new books annually without substantive improvements in content. Under the policy, structured revision cycles will require meaningful content updates, while limits will be placed on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade, in line with international best practice.

Nigeria’s Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to oversee textbook quality assurance.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the reforms reaffirm its commitment to equitable access to quality education and high-standard instructional materials nationwide.