Publishers ask court to halt NERDC textbook ranking policy

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has sought a court injunction in Ibadan to stop the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) from enforcing its new textbook ranking policy. The association, led by its president, is challenging the authority of NERDC to force already approved textbooks to undergo another ranking process before they can be used, distributed or sold in schools.

The lawsuit, identified as FHC/IB/CS/117/26, names the President, Minister of Education, and Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants. The publishers argue that NERDC lacks the statutory power to impose such requirements and the accompanying fee on textbooks that have already been assessed, approved and certified for use.

The NPA also questions the legality of the regulations introduced under the NERDC Act without the necessary presidential approval and publication in the Federal Gazette. The publishers are worried about the financial strain on publishers and the potential exclusion of approved textbooks from classrooms if they do not comply with the ranking exercise.

NERDC implemented the ranking framework to regulate textbook quality and align instructional materials with the national curriculum. However, the association remains open to negotiations with the Federal Government and emphasizes the importance of a legally sound, transparent and beneficial regulatory framework for textbooks in the education sector.