The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has announced a reduction in textbook assessment and ranking fees, with publishers who previously paid the old rates set to receive refunds.
The move is expected to ease financial pressure on stakeholders ahead of the Federal Government’s National Textbook Ranking System.
The decision was disclosed in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the Council, the revised charges take immediate effect and are aimed at encouraging greater participation from publishers and authors.
The announcement has attracted attention across Nigeria’s education sector, with many viewing it as a welcome step towards making the textbook evaluation process more affordable.
NERDC announces new assessment rates
According to the statement, “from N2,000 to N1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been reviewed downward from N1 million to N750,000 per textbook title.”
Prof. Shehu explained that the reduced fees were introduced to support publishers and authors preparing to submit textbooks for assessment under the new national ranking system.
He further stated, “Publishers who had already paid the previous assessment fee of N2,000 per page will receive refunds of the excess payment, while the procedure for processing the refunds will be announced soon.”
Publishers asked to comply with new rates
The Council also directed publishers and authors submitting textbooks for assessment to begin paying the revised fees immediately.
The latest decision is expected to provide financial relief for stakeholders while supporting the successful implementation of the National Textbook Ranking System.
Many in the education sector are likely to monitor the refund process closely as NERDC prepares to release further details on how affected publishers can claim the excess payments.
