By Crystal Ugoeze
The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed claims surrounding a History textbook titled Living History, stating that the book is neither approved nor recommended for use in Nigerian schools.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Ministry said it was responding to misleading reports and public debates suggesting that the textbook had official approval and alleging the exclusion of Igbo history from its contents.
The Ministry clarified that Living History was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving instructional materials in line with the national curriculum. As a result, the book was not assessed, recommended, or listed among the officially approved History textbooks for Nigerian schools.
According to the statement, consultations with NERDC leadership and a review of the endorsed textbook list aligned with the new curriculum confirmed that Living History does not form part of approved instructional materials for nationwide use.
“The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to state clearly, firmly, and unequivocally that ‘Living History’ is not an approved textbook and has not been recommended for use in any Nigerian school,” the Ministry said.
It urged parents, teachers, school proprietors, administrators, and the general public to disregard speculation, misinformation, and emotionally charged narratives surrounding the book and to refrain from using it in schools.
The Ministry warned that the use of unapproved instructional materials undermines curriculum standards and could negatively affect teaching quality and learning outcomes. It emphasized that all approved textbooks comply strictly with the national curriculum and are designed to reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity, shared history, and core national values, while promoting inclusivity, balance, and unity.
The statement also called for responsible public discourse, urging Nigerians to reject divisive misinformation and to verify the approval status of educational materials through official channels before adoption or use.
For verified information on approved textbooks, stakeholders were advised to consult NERDC directly.
The statement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Boriowo Folasade, who stressed that “education thrives on truth, and unity thrives on understanding.”