Nigerian Publishers Association Challenges Proposed Fees and Ranking System
A new controversy has emerged in Nigeria’s education sector as the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) vehemently opposes a proposed fee of N2,000 per page and an accompanying ranking system for textbooks. This policy, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, has raised significant concerns among publishers who warn it could destabilize the industry and favor a “winner-takes-all” approach.
Lukman Dauda, the National President of the NPA, articulated the association’s objections in a statement issued on April 28, 2026, urging an immediate retraction of the proposed policy. Dauda emphasized that the ranking system, which would be implemented through the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), threatens to create an uneven playing field in the educational publishing domain.
“The existing textbook evaluation framework is designed to provide transparency and objectivity, ensuring fair competition among publishers. Instead of introducing rankings, the government should focus on strengthening the current evaluation mechanisms,” Dauda stated. He warned that implementing such measures in a nation with over 60 million learners and more than 200 publishers could lead to unrealistic and destructive consequences for the sector.
The NPA also highlighted the challenges publishers face as they adapt to a new curriculum, lamenting that the insufficient transition period is already placing undue stress on the industry. The association further objected to the financial implications of the new policy, revealing that the total assessment and ranking costs for publishers covering all subjects at both primary and secondary levels could exceed N135.57 million.
This financial burden, according to the NPA, contradicts the government’s aim of making educational materials more affordable. The association cautioned that the implementation of these policies could inflate textbook prices, reducing access for students and undermining educational equity.
Moreover, the NPA warned that the proposed measures could stifle investment in educational publishing, raise production costs, and ultimately hinder access to affordable textbooks for both students and schools. Publishers expressed concerns about the hike in assessment fees from N300 per page to N2,000 per page, arguing that this steep increase makes textbooks financially unviable for many learners. The association has called on the Ministry of Education for clarity and transparency regarding these reforms.
In light of these challenges, the NPA urged policymakers, educational institutions, parents, and stakeholders to resist initiatives that could adversely affect the availability and affordability of educational materials. The association also underscored that publishers have been absorbing rising production costs to keep educational resources accessible, pointing out that significant cost pressures typically arise in distribution rather than publishing. Dauda reiterated the call for the Federal Government to reassess its proposed policies to safeguard children’s access to quality education.
