2023/2024 Academic Session – Recommended List of Books for Nigerian Schools

Introduction:

The educational landscape in Nigeria has witnessed significant changes in recent years, including the revision of the national curriculum by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). With each revision, the need for comprehensive and reliable textbooks that align with the updated curriculum becomes paramount. However, the aftermath of these revisions has seen a surge in book publications, some of which fall short of delivering the quality content and accuracy required to support effective teaching and learning.

In response to the influx of hastily published textbooks claiming alignment with the national curriculum, it has become crucial to provide a unified list of recommended books that truly meet the requirements of the revised curriculum. The purpose of this article is to present such a list, meticulously curated to ensure its alignment with the latest revision of the national curriculum by NERDC.

The need for a comprehensive and reliable list of recommended books stems from the growing concern that numerous authors, backed by business-oriented publishers, have rushed to release books with only superficial adherence to the curriculum themes, lacking in-depth and adequate content. Furthermore, an increasing number of educators in Nigeria have adopted a “teacherpreneurship” mindset, seeking to profit from publishing books without dedicating sufficient effort to develop quality content. Consequently, a plethora of new book titles with recycled or poorly reworded content has flooded the market, some even riddled with errors that compromise their educational value.

Complicating matters further, relevant government institutions have not consistently provided reliable guidance in the selection of textbooks. While some state ministries of education refrain from releasing official lists of recommended books, likely due to free-market considerations, those that do release such lists often prioritize affiliations between key players and authors over the quality, relevance, and up-to-dateness of the content.

This article aims to address these challenges and provide an unbiased list of recommended books for the 2023/2024 academic session. The list has been meticulously curated through in-depth research, personal experience, and contributions from experienced educators across the country, representing public and private schools at various levels and encompassing a range of socio-economic backgrounds. By presenting this unified list, we seek to guide schools, teachers, and parents in making informed decisions about textbooks that will truly support the learning needs of Nigerian students.

It is important to note that the recommendations provided in this article are the result of an independent and thorough evaluation process. The list takes into account quality content, up-to-dateness, and relevance to the revised curriculum, prioritizing the educational needs of students above all other considerations. By presenting this list, we aim to promote a robust educational ecosystem where students have access to textbooks that are truly aligned with the national curriculum and uphold the highest standards of quality and accuracy.

The list covers books for each stage of basic education, from primary school 1 to junior secondary school 3.