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Publishers Kick Against FG’s Textbook Ranking Policy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has expressed reservations over the Federal Ministry of Education’s plan to introduce a classroom textbook ranking system for basic and secondary schools.

Specifically, it described the proposal as a fundamental policy overreach with far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s education sector.

The Ministry had announced that the policy, expected to take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, would be implemented by a committee constituted outside the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body established to develop curricula and oversee instructional materials nationwide.

Reacting to the development, Executive Secretary of the association, Rotimi Iyiola, said the initiative, though presented as a reform aimed at improving learning outcomes and standardising textbook selection, risks undermining established educational structures.

The association argued that textbooks are not creative works subject to competitive ranking, but structured academic outputs developed strictly in line with approved national curricula.

“The idea that textbooks can be ranked like awards in the creative arts sector is fundamentally flawed. Textbooks are the product of a regulated scientific and academic process anchored on the curriculum developed by the NERDC.”

The association further stressed that once textbooks are produced, they undergo a formal vetting process by the NERDC to ensure compliance with curriculum standards before approval for use in schools, adding that introducing an external ranking system would weaken this established regulatory framework.

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The NPA also questioned the rationale for establishing an additional committee to reassess textbooks that have already been vetted and approved by the NERDC, describing the move as suggestive of a lack of confidence in the council’s statutory mandate.

“It raises serious questions when a body created by an Act of Parliament, and entrusted with curriculum development and quality assurance, has its processes effectively bypassed. This appears to be a vote of no confidence in an institution that has served Nigeria’s education system for decades.”

According to the group, the policy contradicts globally accepted standards for textbook evaluation and risks destabilising a system that has remained functional over the years. It warned that introducing such a ranking mechanism could amount to “reinventing the wheel in a way that damages a working structure.”

Beyond institutional concerns, the association raised constitutional issues, noting that education falls under the Concurrent Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution, allowing both federal and state governments to play roles in educational administration.

By centralising textbook ranking at the federal level, the NPA argued that the ministry risks encroaching on state authority over instructional materials within their jurisdictions.

“The federal ministry’s role is expected to be coordinative and advisory, not directive or monopolistic. This approach shifts the balance of federalism from cooperation to control,” the group noted.

The publishers also raised concerns over transparency in the proposed system, questioning the criteria for evaluating textbooks and the process for selecting committee members. It noted that key operational details of the ranking exercise had not been made public.

“Who appoints the committee? What safeguards exist against bias or undue influence? Why is a process affecting a national industry shielded from stakeholder scrutiny?” the association queried.

It added that transparency must be demonstrated through clear standards, inclusive participation, and verifiable procedures, warning that closed systems, regardless of intent, undermine public trust.

The NPA further criticised the exclusion of key stakeholders, particularly publishers, from the policy formulation process. It described the publishing sector as central to the education value chain, comprising authors, editors, printers, distributors, and investors whose roles are critical to content production and delivery.

Excluding such stakeholders, it said, raises serious concerns about fairness and inclusivity in policymaking.

On the economic front, the association warned that the policy could have significant consequences for Nigeria’s book industry, which operates as a complex value chain supporting thousands of jobs.

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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