For many Nigerian parents, the beginning of a new school year has come to mean one thing: buying a fresh set of textbooks—whether or not last year’s books remain perfectly usable. But a growing movement across the country is challenging this culture of “single-use textbooks,” which many say places an unnecessary financial burden on families while also fueling waste.
Up until the 1990s, textbooks were treasured possessions in Nigerian homes. Parents carefully ensured their children kept them in good condition so that younger siblings or relatives could inherit them. It was a family economy of knowledge, where one book could pass through multiple hands. At the time, the rate of changing approved textbooks was low, allowing families to plan ahead.
That changed dramatically with the rise of private schools and publishing innovations that parents now call “exploitation.” Publishers began printing textbooks with spaces for homework and practice questions, eliminating the need for separate exercise books but making textbooks disposable. Once a child wrote in them, the books became useless for anyone else.
Now, after years of complaints, states across Nigeria are beginning to fight back.
Benue’s Bold Move
In August 2025, the Benue State Ministry of Education issued a circular outlawing customized and non-transferable textbooks. Schools in the state must now revert to the old practice of passing books from seniors to juniors. The same circular also tackled other costly practices—such as compulsory after-school lessons and elaborate graduation ceremonies at nursery and primary levels.
Edo’s Four-Year Shelf Life
Edo State has taken a similar path, approving a policy that allows textbooks to be reused for a minimum of four years. The government emphasized that siblings should be able to inherit books and that parents should not be compelled to replace them annually. Early-grade graduation parties were also restricted as part of the reforms.
Imo and Anambra Join the Wave
In Imo State, authorities now prohibit the yearly replacement of textbooks, extending their use across both public and private schools for at least four years. Graduation ceremonies at nursery and junior secondary school levels were also banned.
Anambra State went further, declaring that students must no longer write assignments directly in textbooks. Officials described the practice as “unsustainable,” pledging strict enforcement to ensure textbooks remain reusable for younger siblings and future pupils.
“Textbooks Must Last at Least Four Years” — Parents’ Voice
For parents, these reforms are long overdue. The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has been vocal in its support.
Adeolu Ogunbanjo, Chairman of NAPTAN’s Board of Trustees, urged the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to back the states’ efforts with national policy.
“When we were growing up, the textbooks we used in school were still used by other siblings of ours,” Ogunbanjo recalled. “Instead of allowing pupils and students to do homework in their textbooks, why not use exercise books? We know the education sector is changing, but textbooks should have a minimum life span of four years. In the past, reviews happened every six years. Today, the antics of publishers who want yearly sales is simply not sustainable in this economy.”
Why the Campaign Matters
For many families, the cost of education is not just about school fees. The yearly scramble for new textbooks can push budgets to breaking point. Parents complain of “book racketeering,” accusing some schools of partnering with publishers to compel unnecessary purchases.
The reforms promise several benefits:
- Alleviating financial pressure: Parents save money when books last beyond a single school year.
- Promoting sustainability: Preventing students from writing in textbooks preserves their value.
- Reducing inequality: Wealthier families may replace books easily, but for low-income homes, reuse policies ensure fairness.
- Encouraging accountability: Limiting publishers’ influence reduces exploitative practices in the education sector.
A Turning Tide?
As more states adopt similar measures, observers say the pressure will mount on others to follow suit. The campaign is not just about textbooks; it is about fairness, sustainability, and giving every child equal access to learning tools.
For parents like Nkechi, a mother of three in Owerri, the relief is tangible. “Last year, I spent almost ₦40,000 on textbooks that my younger children couldn’t use. Now, with this new policy, at least I know the books will serve my family for years. It feels like the government finally listened.”
If the movement continues, the days of single-use textbooks in Nigeria’s schools may soon be numbered—and the tradition of passing knowledge from one sibling to another might just make a comeback.
