The Ministry of Education has denied reports circulating in the public space that a History textbook titled ‘Living History’ has been approved for use in Nigerian schools, describing such claims as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said its attention had been drawn to “misleading reports and public discussions” surrounding the book, including allegations that it excludes Igbo content and assertions that it is an officially approved textbook.
According to the ministry, “Living History” is not on the list of instructional materials approved by the Federal Government for use in schools.
The statement stressed that “Living History” is “NOT an approved textbook and has not been recommended for use in any Nigerian school by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
It explained that the book was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council, the statutory body responsible for reviewing and approving textbooks in line with the national curriculum.
As a result, the ministry noted that the textbook was not recommended by NERDC and does not appear on the official list of approved History textbooks.
It added that, following consultations with NERDC leadership and a review of endorsed instructional materials, “it has been confirmed that ‘Living History’ does not form part of the approved instructional materials for nationwide use.”
The ministry urged parents, teachers, school owners, administrators and members of the public to ignore claims and controversies surrounding the book. It called on stakeholders “to disregard all speculation, misinformation, and emotionally charged narratives surrounding the book and to refrain from its use in schools.”
Warning against the use of unapproved learning materials, the ministry said such practices undermine curriculum standards and could affect teaching quality and learning outcomes.
It stressed that all approved textbooks align with the national curriculum and “reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, shared history, and core national values, while promoting inclusivity, balance, and unity.”
The statement also appealed for responsible public discourse and encouraged Nigerians to verify the approval status of educational materials through official channels before adopting them. For accurate information, the Ministry advised stakeholders to consult NERDC.
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