Lokoja & Abakaliki — Following their earlier clampdown on graduation ceremonies and sign-out parties, Kogi and Ebonyi States have announced fresh reforms in schools. The new policy bans:

Writing inside textbooks, to allow reuse across sessions.
Customised textbooks designed for specific schools.
Customised exercise books bearing school labels and logos.

The directive takes effect from the 2025/2026 academic session and is aimed at lowering the financial burden of education on families.

Why Textbook Writing is Outlawed

Officials explained that the habit of filling in answers or class notes directly into textbooks makes them unusable for other learners. By enforcing a ban, the states hope to extend the life cycle of books, allowing siblings to share and reducing the need for fresh purchases every year.

Kogi’s Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, described the move as a return to “sustainable learning practices” that worked in the past. Ebonyi’s Commissioner, Dr. Donatus Ilang, added that it would break the cycle of annual book replacement, which has been a heavy strain on parents’ pockets.

Families Gain, Publishers Lose

For parents, this comes as a relief. Instead of being forced into buying one-off books and branded school resources every term, families can now reuse and resell textbooks. This change could save households tens of thousands of naira each year.

But the policy puts pressure on publishers, printers, and suppliers who have long profited from customised editions and workbook-style textbooks. Education businesses tied to this model may need to reinvent themselves, focusing instead on durable, non-customised learning materials or digital resources.

A Reform Trend to Watch

With Kogi and Ebonyi taking the lead, analysts say other states may soon adopt similar cost-cutting measures in education. First, it was the ban on graduation ceremonies, and now it’s the ban on writing in textbooks and customised school books. If the trend continues, Nigeria’s education landscape could shift towards more affordable, standardised learning resources.

Broader Implications

While parents welcome the reform, teachers may have to adjust lesson delivery — shifting classwork and assignments fully into standard notebooks rather than pre-filled workbooks. This could mean more creativity in lesson planning but also a leaner market for tailored educational materials.