Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Federal Government launches a new reusable textbook policy aimed at easing financial pressure on families, improving learning outcomes and promoting sustainability in schools.
The policy, announced on Friday, mandates the use of durable textbooks designed to last four to six years, allowing books to be reused across academic sessions and among siblings. The initiative was unveiled through a joint statement by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sai’d.
Under the new guidelines, schools are barred from selling single-use workbooks bundled with core textbooks, a practice officials say has inflated education costs for parents.
“This reform addresses unnecessary annual textbook changes that burden households and generate avoidable waste,” the ministers say.
The government says the policy will significantly reduce annual spending on learning materials while encouraging responsible resource use.
In a broader reform push, authorities also introduce a uniform national academic calendar to improve coordination and planning across schools. Graduation ceremonies are now limited to Primary 6, JSS3 and SSS3, curbing excessive spending on non-essential celebrations.
Oversight will be handled by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), which will enforce strict quality standards, limit the number of approved textbooks per subject and approve revisions only when substantial improvements are made.
Officials note that the policy aligns with global best practices adopted in countries such as Japan, Kenya and Tanzania, where reusable textbooks have improved access and long-term value in education.
Education advocates say the reforms could enhance equity, especially for low-income households struggling with rising school expenses.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim