The Federal Government has unveiled a new policy framework aimed at reducing education costs for parents while improving learning outcomes across the country. The initiative focuses on promoting sustainability in schools through reusable, high-quality textbooks and stronger quality assurance measures.
Jointly issued by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, the policy forms part of ongoing reforms to reposition the education sector and ease the financial burden on families. It mandates the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks.
The Administrators explained that the approach allows learning materials to be reused across multiple academic sessions, enables siblings to share textbooks, lowers recurring costs for parents, and reduces waste, supporting environmental sustainability.
The policy also introduces a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning nationwide. Graduation ceremonies will be limited to pupils completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School 3, and Senior Secondary School 3, reducing unnecessary expenses for families.
To strengthen the quality of instructional materials, the policy sets structured revision cycles, ensuring textbook updates reflect meaningful improvements in content rather than minor layout changes. It also limits the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, aligning with international practices in countries such as Japan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will continue to lead assessment and quality assurance, working with relevant agencies to ensure only curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved.
The ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education reform, equity, and cost reduction for parents, while commending technical partners such as the Universal Basic Education Commission for supporting the policy.
This framework shows a decisive move to make education more affordable, sustainable, and effective for Nigerian families.
