The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has dragged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) before the Federal High Court in Ibadan over the legality of the council’s Textbook Ranking Framework.

The suit, No. FHC/IB/CS/117/26, also lists the Minister of Education and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

At the centre of the dispute is whether NERDC has the statutory authority to compel publishers to submit textbooks that have already been assessed, approved and certified to another ranking exercise as a condition for their continued use, distribution, procurement or sale.

The association is also challenging the compulsory ranking fee attached to the exercise, as well as the legal validity of regulations introduced under the NERDC Act without the required presidential approval and publication in the Federal Gazette.

The controversy dates back to April 2026, when the Federal Government announced the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System for textbooks used in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools. The Federal Ministry of Education said the initiative was designed to address the proliferation of textbooks, improve quality and ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant materials were used in schools. Implementation was scheduled to begin from the September 2026 academic session.

Under the new arrangement, NERDC was to move beyond its existing textbook assessment and approval process to rank approved educational materials, with the ranking to determine which books would be recommended for use.

In June, NERDC commenced the 2026 assessment, reassessment and ranking exercise and called on publishers and other stakeholders to submit textbooks and instructional resources.

Under the disputed policy, publishers who fail to participate in the ranking exercise risk having previously approved textbooks excluded from classroom use.

The NPA is however asking the court to determine whether NERDC has the legal authority to impose the conditions and requirements contained in the framework.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Rotimi Iyiola, the NPA said its decision to approach the court should not be interpreted as a rejection of dialogue with the Federal Government.

The NPA said it remained committed to meaningful engagement with the government and other stakeholders.

The association said it was willing to work towards a textbook approval system that is “lawful, transparent and in the interest of learners, teachers and the publishing industry.