The Federal Government has extended the deadline for the submission of textbooks and instructional materials for the 2026 Phase I assessment, reassessment and ranking exercise to August 7, 2026, giving publishers, authors and other stakeholders an additional opportunity to participate in the national textbook evaluation programme.
The extension was announced on Friday by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the agency responsible for curriculum development and the evaluation of instructional materials for Nigeria’s education system. According to the council, the extension received the approval of the Federal Ministry of Education and replaces the earlier deadline of July 3, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the council said the additional time was approved to encourage broader participation in the assessment exercise and enable more eligible stakeholders to complete and submit their materials.
“This final extension is being granted to ensure broader participation and provide publishers, authors, and other eligible stakeholders with an additional opportunity to complete and submit their materials for participation in the 2026 Phase I textbook assessment, reassessment, and ranking exercise.”
NERDC urged publishers, authors, educational content developers and other participants in the book industry to take advantage of the extension, stressing that all submissions must strictly comply with the Textbook Quality Indicators and Submission Guidelines approved for the exercise.
The council noted that the guidelines remain unchanged and are available on its official website for prospective participants.
While announcing the extension, NERDC made it clear that the August 7 deadline is final and that no further grace period would be granted.
“No further extension will be granted, and late submissions received after the final deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.”
The agency also appreciated publishers, authors and other stakeholders for their continued cooperation and encouraged them to submit their materials well ahead of the deadline to facilitate a smooth assessment process.
The National Textbook Ranking System is one of the Federal Ministry of Education’s key quality assurance initiatives aimed at improving the standard of textbooks and instructional materials used in Nigerian schools. The exercise evaluates educational resources to ensure they align with the national curriculum, meet prescribed quality standards and support effective teaching and learning.
Education experts have consistently highlighted the need for high-quality instructional materials to improve learning outcomes, particularly in basic and secondary education. By assessing and ranking textbooks, the government seeks to provide schools, teachers and parents with reliable information on educational resources that satisfy national quality benchmarks.
The initiative also forms part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector, which prioritises improved learning outcomes, stronger quality assurance systems and wider access to standardised educational resources across the country.
With the new deadline now fixed for August 7, NERDC has advised all eligible participants to complete their submissions promptly, warning that any materials received after the closing date will not be considered for the 2026 Phase I assessment, reassessment and ranking exercise.
