FG introduces QR codes to track approved school textbooks
The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a QR-based tracking system for approved school textbooks as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of instructional materials and improve transparency in their selection, procurement and distribution.
The ministry announced the measure on Monday night while releasing the final 2026–2028 Ranked and Approved Textbooks following the completion of the first phase of its national textbook ranking exercise.
In a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said every approved textbook would carry a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside information on the title, author or authors, publisher and year of publication.
It said the tracking codes were designed to make it easier to identify and monitor approved textbooks and strengthen accountability over instructional materials used in Nigerian schools.
The first phase covers textbooks for Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 and Senior Secondary School 1.
The ministry said the exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with the final list approved by Alausa.
According to the ministry, generating and assigning individual tracking codes to each ranked textbook added to the time required to complete and validate the final lists.
The textbook ranking programme is being implemented in phases. The second phase will cover Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS2 and SS2, with the same identification and tracking system expected to apply.
Publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other stakeholders have been directed to rely strictly on the official list when selecting and purchasing textbooks for the affected classes.
The ministry said the measure was intended to ensure that teachers and pupils have access to quality, relevant and curriculum-aligned instructional materials while strengthening transparency and accountability in textbook provision.
It urged stakeholders to comply with the approved list when providing or using textbooks for the specified classes.
The complete 2026–2028 list, including the unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code assigned to each approved textbook, has been made available by the ministry.