By Joyce Ekeh
The Federal Government has introduced a QR-based tracking system for textbooks approved for use in Nigerian schools, as part of measures to tighten control over instructional materials and improve transparency in their selection, procurement and distribution.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in a press statement issued Monday night by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, also announced the release of the final 2026–2028 Ranked and Approved Textbooks, following the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise.
Under the new system, every approved textbook will carry a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside the title, author or authors, publisher and year of publication.
The ministry said the QR codes would make it easier to identify, monitor and account for approved textbooks in schools, while providing a mechanism for tracking instructional materials from selection to use.
It said the move was designed to strengthen monitoring and control of approved instructional materials and ensure that only textbooks that have passed through the prescribed ranking and approval process are used in schools.
According to the ministry, “every approved textbook carries a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code,” which would help stakeholders verify the status and identity of approved instructional materials.
The first phase of the ranking exercise covers textbooks for Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1, JSS1, and Senior Secondary School 1, SS1.
The exercise was conducted under the guidance of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with the final list approved by the Minister of Education.
The ministry explained that the additional process of generating and assigning unique tracking codes to every ranked textbook contributed to the time required to complete and validate the final approved lists.
It, however, stressed that the exercise was being implemented in phases and that the release of the first batch did not mark the end of the process.
The second phase will cover textbooks for Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS2 and SS2, with the same identification and tracking mechanism expected to be applied to the approved titles.
The Federal Government urged publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other stakeholders to rely strictly on the official approved list when selecting and procuring textbooks for the affected classes.
It warned stakeholders against departing from the approved titles, stressing that the ranking exercise was intended to ensure that Nigerian learners and teachers have access to quality, relevant and curriculum-aligned instructional materials.
The ministry said the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen transparency and accountability in the provision of textbooks across Nigerian schools.
It urged all stakeholders to comply with the approved list in the provision and use of textbooks for the specified classes.
The complete 2026–2028 Ranked and Approved Textbooks, including the unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code assigned to each approved title, has been released by the ministry.
