Federal Ministry Releases Approved Textbook List, QR Tracking

The Federal Ministry of Education has released the final list of ranked and approved textbooks for use in Nigerian schools from 2026 to 2028, covering Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 and Senior Secondary School 1.

The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, after the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise.

The ministry said the exercise is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the quality and accountability of instructional materials available to learners and teachers in Nigerian schools.

‘The exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that learners and teachers have access to quality, relevant and curriculum-aligned instructional materials, while strengthening transparency and accountability in textbook provision across Nigerian schools,’ the statement read.

A key feature of the approved list is the introduction of a Ranking/QR Tracking Code for each textbook.

‘Each approved title carries a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside key details including the title, author(s), publisher and year of publication, to facilitate identification, monitoring and accountability.’

The ministry said the tracking system is intended to make it easier to monitor textbooks and strengthen accountability in their selection, procurement and use.

‘The introduction of the Ranking/QR Tracking Code represents an important step towards strengthening the monitoring and control of approved instructional materials and ensuring greater transparency in their selection, procurement and utilisation.’

The ministry explained that the additional work required to generate and assign the codes contributed to the time taken to complete and validate the final lists.

‘The Ministry noted that the additional process of generating and assigning unique codes to each ranked textbook contributed to the time required to complete and validate the final lists,’ the statement read.

The exercise was conducted under the guidance and leadership of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with the final list approved by Alausa.

The ministry said the ranking process will continue in phases. The next phase will cover Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2.

‘The ranking exercise is being implemented in phases. Following the completion and approval of the first phase, preparations will commence for the second round, covering textbooks for Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2,’ the statement read.

It added, ‘The same identification and tracking measures will apply to the subsequent phase.’

The ministry urged publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other stakeholders to rely on the approved list when selecting and purchasing textbooks for the affected classes.

‘The Federal Ministry of Education urges publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to consult the official approved list when selecting and procuring textbooks for the affected classes,' the statement read.

It also called on stakeholders to follow the approved list when providing and using textbooks for the specified classes.

‘The Federal Ministry of Education encourages all stakeholders to adhere to the approved list in the provision and use of textbooks for the specified classes,' the statement read.