FG unveils 50 textbooks written by Nigerian scholars for tertiary Institutions
By Uji A. Iliyasu
Abuja
In a significant step towards promoting indigenous authorship and reducing dependence on foreign academic materials, the Federal Government has unveiled 50 locally authored textbooks for tertiary institutions. The textbooks, sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), were launched on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.
Dr. Alausa said the initiative aims to nurture quality authorship and indigenous book production, addressing the scarcity of high-quality tertiary-level textbooks in Nigeria. The Minister emphasized the importance of promoting local authorship, stating that it would not only ensure the availability of relevant books but also safeguard national pride and reduce the demand for foreign exchange.
The textbooks cover a range of subjects, including medicine, law, engineering, agriculture, economics, education, and security studies. The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, announced that the books would be distributed to libraries of tertiary institutions at no cost, with subsequent publications to be paid for by students and others.
This initiative is part of TETFund’s Higher Education Book Development Intervention Project, which aims to promote academic publishing in Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions. With over 130 manuscripts undergoing rigorous review and publication, TETFund has set a minimum target of 50 textbooks per year.
“It is equally worrisome that the quality of most academic publications in our country leaves much to be desired. It is therefore expected that nourishing the culture of quality authorship and the production of indigenous books will not only ensure the availability of relevant books in the diverse subject areas taking cognizance of our local environment and sensitivities but will also safeguard national pride and reduce the demand for foreign exchange,” Dr Alausa said.
The minister also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his administration recognises education as the main driver of national growth.
“The administration of Mr. President has committed to funding and policy reprioritization towards content development and capacity building of the staff of our Public Tertiary Education Institutions.”
The 50 textbooks covering various subjects, including History, Women and Gender, Literature in English, Communication and Media, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, according to the minister will be distributed to libraries of tertiary institutions at no cost, with subsequent publications to be made available digitally.
Alausa expressed hope that the presentation of these books will bridge the gap of indigenous authorship and book publications in Nigeria.
“I charge TETFund and the academia to go beyond publishing in English language to promoting authorship in our local languages in line with the recently approved National Language policy.”
Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees of TETFund, Aminu Bello Masari, stated that TETFund has been a reliable source of funding for tertiary education interventions, and expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing education.
“Let me seize this opportunity to inform you that in our effort to better the package of our intervention programmes to achieve desired results for improving teaching, learning and research, the Board of Trustees has introduced more admissible projects particularly in the area of medical simulation, anthology/blackboard and provision of alternative source of energy.
“One of the primary objectives of the Higher Education Book Development Project among others was to reduce overreliance on foreign reading and learning material for public tertiary institutions,” he said.
He pledged that TETFund will continue to deliver responsive intervention programs and will be at the forefront in promoting creative and innovative approaches to educational learning and championing new literacy enhancing areas.
In his remark, the Technical Advisory Group Chairman, Prof. Albert Abegunde, noted that the 50 textbooks, categorized under nine areas, aimed to promote literacy, preserve culture, expand technology, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster research and innovation.
He also highlighted TAG’s plans to double the number of TETFund textbooks published and presented within a year, and to identify grey areas in professions to publish books that can turn brain-drain to brain-gain.
“TETFund TAG’s work transcends mere editing of manuscripts and production of academic materials. The Committee plans to shape minds, ignite curiosity, and build a stronger, more enlightened society and write a new chapter, -one where books and journals become catalysts for national socio-economic and technological transformation,” he said.