FG Slashes Textbook Assessment Fees, Orders Refunds For Publishers

FG Slashes Textbook Assessment Fees, Orders Refunds for Publishers The Federal Government has reduced the recently introduced assessment fees for textbooks and directed that publishers who paid the earlier charges be refunded. The decision followed concerns raised by stakeholders in the publishing industry over the new fees introduced as part of reforms to improve the quality assurance and ranking of educational materials in the country. The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council NERDC, which is responsible for textbook evaluation and approval, had introduced revised charges for the assessment process, prompting criticism from publishers who argued that the increase would place additional financial pressure on the industry and could affect textbook affordability. Under the new directive, the government reviewed the charges downward and instructed that publishers who had already paid under the previous fee structure should receive refunds. The move is expected to ease concerns among publishers while allowing the government to continue with its plan to strengthen textbook quality control and ensure that only approved and curriculum-aligned learning materials are used in schools. Earlier, publishers had expressed reservations over the revised textbook assessment and ranking policy, warning that higher fees could increase production costs and eventually affect parents and learners. The Federal Government, however, maintained that the reforms were aimed at improving educational standards, reducing the circulation of substandard materials and ensuring better value for learners. The adjustment of the fees represents an effort by the authorities to balance quality assurance objectives with the need to support Nigeria’s educational publishing sector.