By Nick Ibe, Abuja

QR-based ranking codes have been introduced by the Federal ministry of Education to strengthen accountability; second phase to cover four additional class levels

Similarly, the Ministry has released the final list of Ranked and Approved Textbooks for use in Nigerian schools for the 2026–2028 period, following the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise.

A release by Boriowo Folasade,
Director, Press and Public Relations, on Monday, 28th September, 2026 said:

“The approved list covers textbooks for Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1) and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1). Each approved title carries a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside key details including the title, author(s), publisher and year of publication, to facilitate identification, monitoring and accountability.”

The statement added, the exercise was conducted under the guidance and leadership of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.

Furthermore, it justified the introduction of the Ranking QR tracking saying:

“The introduction of the Ranking/QR Tracking Code represents an important step towards strengthening the monitoring and control of approved instructional materials and ensuring greater transparency in their selection, procurement and utilisation.”

The Ministry noted that the additional process of generating and assigning unique codes to each ranked textbook contributed to the time required to complete and validate the final lists.

The ranking exercise is being implemented in phases. Following the completion and approval of the first phase, preparations will commence for the second round, covering textbooks for Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2. The same identification and tracking measures will apply to the subsequent phase.

The Federal Ministry of Education urges publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to consult the official approved list when selecting and procuring textbooks for the affected classes.

The exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that learners and teachers have access to quality, relevant and curriculum-aligned instructional materials, while strengthening transparency and accountability in textbook provision across Nigerian schools.

The complete 2026–2028 Ranked and Approved Textbooks, including the Ranking/QR Tracking Code for each approved title, is available through the link below:

drive.google.com/file/d/1lOX8iW…

The Federal Ministry of Education encourages all stakeholders to adhere to the approved list in the provision and use of textbooks for the specified classes.

By Son Tertsea

The results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by the National Examinations Council, have placed Kano State as the overall best.

Kano emerged as the leading state with 74,413 candidates obtaining at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

The result places Lagos, which recorded 72,496 candidates, and Oyo with 55,543 candidates, as coming second and third respectively according to figures released by the Kano State Government.

The development marks the second consecutive year Kano has recorded the highest number of candidates meeting the five-credit benchmark, following its performance in the 2025 NECO examination.

Reacting to the result, Governor Abba Yusuf, in a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, congratulated the students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

According to the statement, Yusuf described the performance as an indication that the state’s investment in education was yielding measurable results. In his words:

“This back-to-back performance is an indication that our sustained investment in education is producing measurable results.”

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise education through increased funding, improved learning facilities, teacher recruitment and training, scholarships and support for indigent students.

“Our government spent more than N4.4bn in 2026 to sponsor candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly indigent students, to remove financial barriers to participation,” the governor said.

Yusuf said the investment extended beyond examination sponsorship to classroom renovation, recruitment and training of teachers, provision of learning materials, uniforms and scholarships.

“We will continue to invest in education because our objective is to build a system that equips our young people with the knowledge and skills required for higher education, employment, innovation and leadership,” the governor said.

The statement said education had consistently received one of the largest allocations in Kano’s budgets under the Yusuf administration, with the sector allocated N168.35bn, representing 31 per cent of the 2025 budget.

For 2026, the state allocated N405.35bn to education, representing about 30 per cent of its N1.48tn budget, according to the government.

Yusuf dedicated the latest NECO performance to students, teachers, parents and residents of the state, while pledging to sustain interventions aimed at improving learning outcomes.

“This achievement belongs to our students, teachers, parents and the good people of Kano State,” the governor said.

The governor’s spokesman said the state had recorded more than five million school children in the latest annual school census, underscoring the scale of the government’s education responsibilities.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The body operating under the name National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the Federal Unity Colleges is not recognised or authorised by the Federal Ministry of Education and does not represent the individual PTAs in the 118 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
the Ministry has declared.

According to a press release on Monday, 21 September, 2026, signed by Boriowo Folasade,
Director, Press and Public Relations,
the Ministry stated that “The association has no mandate to speak on behalf of the Colleges, their PTAs, parents or guardians.”

Consequently, any statement, directive, appeal or communication issued by the association has no official standing and should be disregarded by the public.

The statement further advised parents and guardians to rely exclusively on official communications from the Federal Ministry of Education and the management of their respective Federal Unity Colleges on matters concerning schools, students and academic activities.

It added: “The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards are in their respective Federal Unity Colleges, as the 2026/2027 academic session has commenced nationwide.

“The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the effective administration of the Federal Unity Colleges and to providing students with a safe, conducive and supportive environment for learning and overall development throughout the academic session,” the release added