Publishers and authors seeking approval for textbooks in Nigeria have received a major financial boost following the decision of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to reduce the fees for textbook assessment and ranking.

The fee reduction, announced by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, is expected to ease the cost of compliance ahead of the implementation of the Federal Government’s National Textbook Ranking System in September 2026.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Council reduced the assessment fee from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the fee for ranking textbooks was cut from N1 million to N750,000 per title.

NERDC said the revised charges take immediate effect and directed publishers and authors to begin making payments based on the new rates.

The Council also assured publishers who had already paid the former assessment fee of N2,000 per page that they would receive refunds of the excess payments. It added that details of the refund process would be communicated in due course.

The fee review comes as preparations intensify for the rollout of the National Textbook Ranking System, a key education reform introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.

Beginning in September 2026, only textbooks that have been assessed, approved and ranked by NERDC will be authorised for use in Nigerian schools, while unranked textbooks will no longer be permitted in classrooms.

The policy is aimed at improving the quality of instructional materials, promoting curriculum compliance and eliminating the widespread use of substandard textbooks across the country’s education system.

While NERDC will continue to perform its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks, the new framework requires every approved textbook to undergo a comprehensive national evaluation and ranking by expert panels before it can be recommended for classroom use.

Education stakeholders believe the reduction in assessment and ranking fees will encourage greater participation by publishers and authors, while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the quality and standardisation of learning materials in schools nationwide.