FG cuts textbook assessment fees
ABUJA — The Federal Government has reduced the fees charged for assessing and ranking school textbooks, directing the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to refund publishers who had already paid the previous, higher assessment rate.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Professor Salisu Shehu.
Under the revised structure, the textbook assessment charge has been reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the separate ranking fee has fallen from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 for each textbook title submitted.
Both reductions represent a 25 per cent cut and take immediate effect.
The announcement that FG cuts textbook assessment fees follows weeks of opposition from publishers, authors and other stakeholders who warned that the former charges could raise production costs and eventually make learning materials more expensive for parents.
NERDC said publishers and authors submitting materials for consideration should immediately begin paying according to the new rates. Those who had already paid ₦2,000 per page will be refunded the ₦500 difference for every page assessed.
The council, however, said the procedure for processing the refunds would be announced later. This means affected publishers may need to await further instructions on documentation, payment verification and the timetable for reimbursement.
NERDC reviews fees after industry complaints
The decision that FG cuts textbook assessment fees comes after the Nigerian publishing industry mounted strong resistance to the planned National Textbook Ranking System and the charges attached to it.
Publishers had argued that the ₦2,000-per-page assessment fee, combined with a ₦1 million ranking charge for each title, would impose an excessive financial burden on companies submitting books across several subjects and educational levels.
The Nigerian Publishers Association also warned that the policy could restrict competition, favour larger companies and transfer additional expenses to pupils and their families through higher textbook prices.
Earlier reports differed on the previous assessment rate before it was increased to ₦2,000. Some industry accounts placed it at ₦500 per page, while others said it had been ₦300. What is undisputed is that publishers regarded the new ₦2,000 charge as a steep increase and demanded a review.
The reduction appears to be the government’s first major concession since the controversy intensified.
While the new ₦1,500 rate remains considerably higher than the older figures cited by publishers, the review signals that the authorities have acknowledged concerns about the financial impact of the programme.
What the revised charges mean
The declaration that FG cuts textbook assessment fees has immediate implications for publishers submitting books under the new evaluation framework.
For example, assessing a 200-page textbook at the former rate would have cost ₦400,000. Under the revised rate of ₦1,500 per page, the same assessment will cost ₦300,000, producing a saving of ₦100,000.
When the reduced ranking fee is added, the total charge for such a title would be ₦1.05 million instead of ₦1.4 million, assuming that the title proceeds to the ranking stage.
The financial effect becomes greater for publishers submitting several books. A company presenting titles in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Social Studies and other subjects could face charges running into millions of naira.
Publishers who paid the former assessment rate are now entitled to recover the excess amount. However, NERDC has not yet disclosed whether refunds will be made automatically or whether companies must file formal applications.
It is also not yet clear whether publishers who had already paid the former ₦1 million ranking fee will receive a corresponding refund. The statement specifically confirmed reimbursement of excess assessment payments, while announcing that the ranking fee had also been reduced.
Until NERDC publishes detailed refund guidelines, affected stakeholders should preserve payment receipts, submission acknowledgements and other transaction records.
National textbook ranking begins in September
The policy under which FG cuts textbook assessment fees is expected to become operational in September 2026.
Under the proposed National Textbook Ranking System, only textbooks assessed, approved and ranked by NERDC will be permitted for use in Nigerian classrooms. Reports on the policy indicate that books without the required approval and ranking will be barred from schools.
The reform was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education under the leadership of Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The government says the system is intended to strengthen quality assurance, improve the standard of instructional materials and establish a more transparent process for selecting textbooks used in primary and secondary schools.
NERDC’s assessment process is expected to examine whether submitted books conform to the national curriculum, present accurate information and satisfy approved educational and production standards.
Ranking would then compare textbooks that pass the assessment stage and place them in an order reflecting their perceived quality and suitability.
The Federal Government has said the wider textbook reform will discourage cosmetic revisions that compel parents to buy supposedly new editions containing little substantive improvement. It also wants approved textbooks to remain usable for several academic sessions, enabling families and siblings to reuse them.
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Assessment to be implemented in phases
The 2026 textbook exercise is expected to take place in three phases.
The first phase covers textbooks intended for Primary One, Primary Four, Junior Secondary School One and Senior Secondary School One.
Phase Two will cover Primary Two, Primary Five, JSS Two and SS Two, while the third phase will assess materials for Primary Three, Primary Six, JSS Three and SS Three.
Reports on NERDC’s implementation notice indicate that previously approved titles are also expected to be resubmitted under the new framework. Materials must pass the enhanced assessment stage before they can proceed to ranking.
This requirement has been another source of concern for publishers, who contend that books already vetted by NERDC should not be subjected to a costly duplicate process without a compelling educational justification.
For the government, however, a fresh assessment offers an opportunity to apply the same updated benchmarks to old and new titles.
The announcement that FG cuts textbook assessment fees may reduce some of the immediate financial pressure, but it is unlikely to end the broader disagreement over the policy.
Publishers question ranking system
The Nigerian Publishers Association has questioned both the legality and practical consequences of the ranking arrangement.
The association argued that NERDC already possesses statutory responsibility for curriculum development and textbook approval. It therefore raised concerns that an additional ranking mechanism could duplicate existing quality-assurance processes.
Publishers also fear that ranking a small number of titles above others could create a winner-takes-all market. Schools, education boards and parents may concentrate purchases on the highest-ranked books, potentially forcing smaller publishers and less-favoured titles out of the market.
There are further questions about the criteria that assessors will use, the qualifications of evaluators, the process for challenging an unfavourable ranking and the measures required to prevent conflicts of interest.
The association has called for deeper consultation before full implementation, arguing that decisions affecting an entire educational supply chain should not be concluded without meaningful participation from publishers, teachers, school proprietors and other stakeholders.
Therefore, although FG cuts textbook assessment fees, the central dispute is not solely about money. It is also about regulatory authority, market fairness, consultation and the possible effect of ranking on the availability of textbooks.
Potential implications for parents and schools
The government’s downward review could help prevent some assessment expenses from being passed directly to consumers.
Publishers ordinarily factor editing, printing, distribution, regulatory compliance and other business expenses into the final price of a book. Where assessment charges increase sharply, companies may respond by raising retail prices.
A lower charge may reduce that pressure, but the ultimate impact will depend on several factors, including printing costs, exchange rates, paper prices, distribution expenses and the number of titles approved for the school market.
Parents may benefit if the new policy genuinely promotes durable textbooks that can be reused over four to six years. Schools may also benefit from clearer national standards and reduced circulation of poorly written or inaccurate materials.
However, the policy could have the opposite effect if high compliance costs force publishers to withdraw titles or if an overly restrictive ranking system reduces competition.
This is why the implementation process must be transparent and open to review.
Refund directive requires transparent implementation
The announcement that FG cuts textbook assessment fees will be judged partly by how quickly and transparently the promised refunds are processed.
NERDC should publish clear guidelines specifying the publishers covered, the documents required, the method of application and the expected processing period.
It should also clarify whether the refund extends to the difference between the former and revised ranking fees for publishers who had already paid ₦1 million per title.
A dedicated refund platform or verifiable payment process would help prevent confusion and protect publishers from fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the exercise.
The council should also publish comprehensive assessment and ranking criteria. Publishers need to know how scores will be allocated, how assessors will be selected and how disputed decisions can be appealed.
Without these safeguards, a reduction in fees may ease the cost burden without resolving concerns about confidence in the system.
A concession, but dialogue must continue
The government’s decision is a welcome response to stakeholder pressure. Reducing both charges by 25 per cent and promising refunds demonstrates some willingness to reconsider aspects of the programme.
Nevertheless, a successful textbook policy requires more than revised fees.
The Federal Ministry of Education and NERDC must convince publishers, educators and the public that the ranking exercise will improve learning outcomes rather than create another expensive layer of bureaucracy.
As FG cuts textbook assessment fees, attention will now shift to the promised refund procedure and the September implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System.
Publishers will want prompt repayment of excess charges. Parents will expect the reform to reduce rather than increase textbook prices. Schools will need clear guidance on which books remain valid, while authors and smaller publishing firms will seek assurances that the ranking process will be fair.
The fee reduction is an important adjustment, but the credibility of the reform will ultimately depend on consultation, transparency and measurable improvements in the quality and affordability of books used by Nigerian children.
