Education Reform: Nigeria Introduces Quality Ranking for School Books

The Federal Government has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior, and senior secondary schools across Nigeria as part of ongoing education reforms aimed at improving quality assurance, curriculum standardisation, and learning outcomes.

The policy was announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, through a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, in Abuja.

According to the Ministry, the reform is designed to address the widespread issue of textbook proliferation in Nigerian schools, where multiple competing materials exist for the same subjects, often creating confusion for teachers, students, and parents while increasing education costs.

Alausa explained that while the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue its statutory role of approving textbooks, the new system introduces an additional layer of structured ranking and evaluation to determine the most suitable materials for classroom use.

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Under the framework, NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees made up of subject-matter experts who will conduct detailed reviews of textbooks submitted by publishers. These committees will assess books based on academic accuracy, curriculum alignment, pedagogical quality, and usability in classrooms before assigning rankings.

The Minister said only a limited number of top-ranked textbooks per subject and class level will be recommended for use in schools nationwide, marking a shift from the current system where multiple approved books are available without clear quality hierarchy.

He further stated that textbooks not ranked under the new system will no longer be permitted for use in Nigerian schools, even if they had previously received approval under earlier guidelines.

According to him, the reform is aimed at introducing transparency, order, and international best practices into Nigeria’s instructional material system, while also improving consistency in teaching and learning across public and private schools.

The Federal Government also said the policy will help reduce the financial burden on parents by limiting frequent textbook changes and discouraging unnecessary annual revisions by publishers.

Alausa noted that stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, and education experts, will be engaged ahead of implementation to ensure smooth adoption and compliance.

He confirmed that implementation of the textbook ranking system will begin from the September 2026 academic session, following the completion of committee setup and finalisation of evaluation guidelines.

Education analysts say the policy could significantly reshape Nigeria’s basic education system by standardising learning materials and improving accountability in textbook publishing.

Education Reform: Nigeria Introduces Quality Ranking for School Books

JAMB Clarifies ‘No Result Yet’ Status, Sets 320 Cut-Off for Underage Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified the growing confusion surrounding the “No Result Yet” message being displayed to some candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), explaining that the development is intentional and part of its underage admission policy.

The clarification was issued by JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, who said the board is currently withholding the results of underage candidates in line with existing admission regulations and exceptional candidate screening procedures.

According to him, the “No Result Yet” notification does not indicate technical failure or missing results but reflects an ongoing verification and assessment process for candidates who fall below the approved age requirement for tertiary education.

JAMB reiterated that only candidates who will be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, are eligible for admission through the UTME, in accordance with national education guidelines.

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However, under the board’s exceptional admission policy, underage candidates who are allowed to sit for the examination must demonstrate outstanding academic performance. This includes a minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400 and at least 80 per cent performance in subsequent screening exercises before they can be considered for admission.

Benjamin explained that the policy was agreed upon with parents and stakeholders and is designed to ensure that only exceptionally qualified underage candidates progress to the next stage of evaluation.

He further disclosed that only candidates who meet the required benchmark will be shortlisted for further screening, while others will not proceed in the admission process.

The board stressed that results for underage candidates will remain temporarily withheld until all verification and screening procedures are concluded. Successful candidates will be contacted directly for further assessment once the process is completed.

Education authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Education, have consistently backed stricter age and performance standards, saying the reforms are aimed at improving academic readiness, reducing dropout rates, and strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

JAMB urged candidates and parents to remain calm and avoid misinformation circulating on social media, assuring that the system is functioning as designed and that no eligible candidate will be unfairly treated.

The board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UTME examination process and ensuring that admission into Nigerian universities is based strictly on merit and compliance with established rules.

JAMB Clarifies ‘No Result Yet’ Status, Sets 320 Cut-Off for Underage Candidates

UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200

-Majority of candidates fall within 140–199 range; top scores remain extremely low nationwide

ABUJA — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the breakdown of results for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing that more than 75 percent of candidates scored below 200.

According to statistics released by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates registered for the examination, while results for 1,897,692 candidates have been released so far. The data paints a sobering picture of mass performance at the lower and middle bands, with only a tiny fraction of candidates attaining scores above 300.

The largest proportion of candidates – 983,187 (50.3%) – scored within the 160–199 range, making it the most populated score bracket. Another 488,197 candidates (25%) scored between 140 and 159. Combined, these two categories account for 75.3% of all candidates whose results have been released.

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In practical terms, more than three out of every four candidates scored below 200.

Top scores remain exceptional

At the upper end of the spectrum, the data shows that high performance remains rare. Only 334,560 candidates (17.1%) scored between 200 and 249, while 73,441 candidates (3.8%) scored between 250 and 299. A mere 12,414 candidates (0.6%) scored above 300.

Breaking down the top tier further, 7,658 candidates (0.4%) scored between 300 and 319, and just 4,756 candidates (0.2%) scored 320 and above.

On the lower end, 57,419 candidates (2.9%) scored between 120 and 139, 3,820 candidates (0.2%) scored between 100 and 119, while 2,031 candidates (0.1%) scored below 100.

What this means for admission seekers

Education stakeholders say the figures highlight the urgent need for improved teaching, better learning resources, and stronger exam preparation strategies across the country.

For candidates seeking admission into competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering, the situation is particularly grim. With only 0.6% of candidates scoring above 300 – the range typically needed for such programmes – cut-off marks for these courses may remain very high as demand continues to rise.

“Success is not just about scoring high; it’s about preparing right,” stakeholders noted. They urged schools, parents, and candidates to adopt smarter study habits and early preparation to improve performance.

Expert calls for alternative pathways

Given the intense competition, experts are advising candidates to explore other pathways to tertiary education, including polytechnics, colleges of education, and skill-based programmes.

“Competition for university admission will be intense tomorrow because of the score distribution today,” one education analyst said. “Waiting for a slim admission slot into a few competitive courses may not be the wisest strategy.”

JAMB has not yet announced official cut-off marks for the 2026 admission cycle, but with over 75% of candidates scoring below 200, stakeholders expect many institutions to maintain lower benchmarks while top universities raise their requirements even higher.

UTME 2026: Over 75% of Candidates Score Below 200