Nigeria can be thankful it is not in the mess that South Africa’s education publishing sector finds itself this week.

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has criticised a proposed textbook ranking policy from the Federal Ministry of Education, due for rollout in the 2026/27 academic year, warning it could destabilise both educational standards and the national book market.

A Policy Aimed at Standardisation

The Ministry argues the initiative will streamline textbook selection and improve learning outcomes by ranking approved classroom materials for primary and secondary schools. In principle, the policy seeks to ensure access to accurate, relevant and affordable content.

However, the NPA contends that the proposal misunderstands how textbook quality is already assured within Nigeria’s system.

Existing Quality Assurance Framework

Textbooks in Nigeria are developed against curricula set by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), a statutory body established to oversee curriculum design and instructional standards.

Publishers submit materials for rigorous vetting; any deficiencies are corrected before final approval. The NPA argues that introducing a parallel ranking mechanism – reportedly led by a separate committee – duplicates and potentially undermines this established process.

Concerns Over Governance and Constitutionality

The association frames the policy as an institutional overreach. Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, education sits on the concurrent legislative list, granting state authorities a role in selecting instructional materials.

A centrally imposed ranking system, the NPA argues, risks infringing on these rights while signalling a lack of confidence in NERDC’s existing procedures.

Market Impact and Industry Risk

Beyond governance concerns, the NPA highlights economic implications. Nigeria’s publishing sector – one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa – relies on a stable, transparent approval system.

Internationally, textbook adoption tends to follow curriculum alignment and approved lists rather than comparative ranking systems. In markets such as the UK and South Africa, evaluation frameworks prioritise compliance, pedagogical quality and affordability, rather than hierarchical “best book” models.

A ranking system could skew competition, concentrate market power, and discourage investment in diverse educational materials.

Call for Policy Recalibration

The NPA is urging the government to withdraw or rethink the policy, advocating instead for an inclusive, constitutionally aligned framework that strengthens – rather than duplicates – existing quality assurance mechanisms.

The View From The Beach

For publishing professionals, the episode highlights a broader tension seen across emerging markets: balancing centralised reform efforts with ecosystem stability, regulatory clarity and stakeholder trust.

But Nigeria can be thankful it is not in the mess that South Africa’s education publishing sector finds itself this week.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.