Nigeria's publishing industry is at odds with the Federal Ministry of Education over two contentious proposals. The Nigerian Publishers Association has rejected plans for a N2,000 per-page assessment charge and a new textbook ranking system.
Lukman Dauda, president of the NPA, said the association formally opposed the policy on April 28, 2026. He called for its immediate withdrawal.
Dauda warned that ranking textbooks would undermine fair competition in education. It would create a "winner-takes-all" market, he argued.
"The current assessment framework already works well," Dauda noted. He said it ensures transparency and gives all publishers equal opportunity.
Government should strengthen existing evaluation systems instead. That's his position on the matter.
Implementing such a policy in Nigeria would be impractical, according to him. The country has over 60 million learners and more than 200 publishing houses.
Publishers are already struggling to adjust to a recently introduced curriculum. No proper transition period was provided for the sector.
Dauda said the financial burden would be crushing for publishers. Assessment and ranking costs would total about N135.57 million per publisher across all subjects.
That's for coverage across both basic and senior secondary levels. The math includes subjects taught at both stages.
Such charges contradict government's pledge to make textbooks affordable. Publishers fear the policy will increase book costs and limit student access.
The proposed fee increase is particularly troubling, the NPA says. Charges would jump from N300 per page to N2,000 per page.
"This is excessive and will make books unaffordable," publishers argue. It could push poor students out of classrooms.
Higher assessment fees mean higher production costs. Publishers say this stifles investment in educational publishing.
Availability of affordable textbooks would suffer, the association warns. Schools and families would struggle to purchase materials.
Publishers have absorbed rising production costs to keep prices down. The real cost pressures come from distribution channels, not publishing itself.
Dauda urged the ministry to explain the reforms' rationale. He demanded clarity and transparency in any implementation process.
He called on policymakers, school operators, and parents to resist the proposals. Stakeholders across education must unite against these policies.
Government should reconsider the plans, the NPA stressed. Quality education access for Nigerian children depends on it.
