By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES have dismissed claims that a textbook titled ‘Living History’ received approval for use in Nigerian schools, stating that the publication is neither approved nor recommended under the national curriculum.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the Federal Ministry of Education, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, on Tuesday said the government addressed what she described as misleading reports and emotionally charged narratives surrounding the book, including allegations that it excludes Igbo content.
Boriowo said ‘Living History’ was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) for the mandatory review and evaluation required under the national curriculum.
She added that consultations with the council’s leadership confirmed the textbook does not appear on the official list of approved instructional materials and is therefore not recommended for nationwide use.
The ministry urged parents, teachers, school proprietors and the public to disregard the information and refrain from using the book in classrooms.
Boriowo also warned that the use of unapproved textbooks could undermine curriculum standards and negatively affect teaching quality and student learning outcomes.
She said all approved textbooks strictly comply with the national curriculum and reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, shared history and core national values while promoting inclusivity, balance and unity.
She also called for responsible public discourse on educational matters and advised stakeholders to verify the approval status of any textbook through official channels, including the council, before adoption.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports the education ministry as saying that the ‘Living History’ series covers pre-colonial African societies, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, independence struggles, and contemporary issues such as kidnapping and human trafficking.
