FG unveils 82 textbooks by Nigerian scholars
By Uji A Iliyasu Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday presented 82 academic textbooks authored by Nigerian scholars to strengthen teaching and learning in tertiary institutions across the country.
The books were developed under the Higher Education Book Development Intervention Project of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and were publicly unveiled in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Alausa said the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education and promoting academic excellence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
He noted that the project was designed to address the shortage of locally authored textbooks and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on foreign publications.
The minister said Nigerian tertiary institutions have increasingly relied on foreign textbooks over the years, a trend that not only discourages indigenous scholarship but also places pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange.
He stressed that encouraging Nigerian academics to produce quality textbooks would ensure the availability of learning materials that are relevant to local realities across different fields of study.
Alausa added that the initiative would particularly strengthen disciplines such as science, technology and engineering, which are critical to national development.
He explained that the TETFund Book Development Intervention supports the publication of academic textbooks, professional association journals, and the establishment of academic publishing centres in tertiary institutions.
The minister recalled that the Board of Trustees of TETFund established a Technical Advisory Group in 2009 to develop a framework for implementing the book development programme in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
He further noted that the Federal Government continues to support academic research journals and publishing centres to ensure the availability of adequate indigenous learning materials in higher institutions.
Alausa commended the authors, publishers and other stakeholders involved in the project for their contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s academic reputation globally.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu for ongoing reforms aimed at revitalising the education sector.
He said the administration remains committed to ensuring stable academic calendars in tertiary institutions across the country.
The minister expressed optimism that the textbooks would help bridge gaps in indigenous academic publishing while improving access to relevant learning materials for students and researchers.
He also urged academic unions to sustain dialogue with government to resolve outstanding issues in the education sector.
Alausa further challenged TETFund to explore ways of expanding access to the books beyond tertiary institutions to promote wider knowledge sharing.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the initiative was designed to tackle the persistent shortage of quality tertiary-level textbooks in Nigeria and strengthen teaching, learning and research in higher institutions.
Echono disclosed that 72 of the titles were newly authored under the TETFund project, while 10 others were written by reputable scholars and secured for distribution to beneficiary institutions.
He revealed that the Fund has so far published 202 academic textbooks, with several others currently undergoing evaluation.
He said over 400,000 copies of the books will be distributed to institutions nationwide, while digital versions will also be made available online to enhance accessibility.
Earlier at the event, Echono led participants in observing a minute’s silence in honour of one of the authors, Valerie Young Harry, who passed away shortly before the public presentation.
Also speaking, Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, described the late author’s contribution as a lasting legacy.
Masari noted that knowledge passed from one generation to another ensures that an individual’s impact continues long after their lifetime.
He also emphasised the importance of practical application of knowledge and called for strategies to commercialise the textbooks so that authors and their families can benefit from their intellectual contributions.