The Federal Ministry of Education has firmly debunked claims circulating in public discourse that a History textbook titled Living History has been approved for use in Nigerian schools, describing such reports as misleading and inaccurate. The Ministry clarified that the book is not recognised under Nigeria’s educational system and has never received official endorsement for classroom use.
In a press statement issued on Monday, February 3, 2026, the Ministry said it was compelled to respond to growing public discussions and media reports surrounding the book, including allegations that it deliberately excludes Igbo historical content. According to the Ministry, these debates are based on a false premise, as Living History does not enjoy approval status and is therefore irrelevant to the national curriculum.
The Ministry stated categorically that Living History was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory agency responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving instructional materials used in Nigerian schools. As a result, the book was neither assessed nor recommended by NERDC and does not feature on the official list of approved History textbooks issued by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Living History is NOT an approved textbook and has not been recommended for use in any Nigerian school,” the statement read. “Consequently, any claim suggesting otherwise is incorrect and misleading.”
Following concerns raised by stakeholders, the Ministry said it conducted consultations with the leadership of NERDC and carried out a thorough review of the officially endorsed list of textbooks aligned with the newly introduced national curriculum. These checks, it said, confirmed conclusively that Living History is not among the approved instructional materials for nationwide use.
The Ministry therefore urged parents, teachers, school proprietors, administrators, and education stakeholders to disregard speculation, misinformation, and emotionally charged narratives surrounding the book. It specifically warned schools against adopting or using the textbook in classrooms, stressing that only materials approved through established regulatory processes should be utilised for teaching and learning.
According to the Ministry, the use of unapproved instructional materials undermines national curriculum standards and poses a risk to teaching quality and learning outcomes. It noted that approved textbooks undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure alignment with curriculum objectives, age appropriateness, academic accuracy, and cultural sensitivity.
The statement further emphasized that all textbooks approved by the Federal Ministry of Education are designed to reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, shared historical experiences, and core national values. Such materials, the Ministry said, are developed to promote inclusivity, balance, unity, and mutual understanding among learners across different regions and backgrounds.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring that instructional materials used in Nigerian schools meet the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and inclusiveness,” the statement said. “No approved textbook excludes any ethnic group or distorts Nigeria’s collective history.”
The Ministry also cautioned the public against allowing misinformation to fuel division or ethnic tension, particularly on sensitive issues such as history education. It called for responsible public discourse and urged Nigerians to verify claims through official channels before drawing conclusions or amplifying unverified narratives.
Stakeholders seeking accurate and verified information on approved textbooks were advised to consult NERDC directly or refer to officially published lists of endorsed instructional materials. The Ministry stressed that NERDC remains the sole authority empowered by law to evaluate and recommend textbooks for use under the national curriculum.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and national cohesion, the Ministry concluded that education must be anchored on truth and guided by shared values. It noted that while public engagement in educational matters is welcome, such engagement must be informed by facts rather than conjecture.
“Education thrives on truth. Unity thrives on understanding,” the statement concluded.
The press statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
