Whether you aspire to study Fine Arts, Creative Arts, Theatre Arts, or any related discipline, the JAMB Art syllabus is your official guide to what the examination will cover. JAMB has released the 2026 syllabus for Art, and every candidate offering this subject must make it their primary study companion. 

It outlines all the essential topics, including the elements and principles of design, traditional Nigerian art, historical dimensions, and practical artistic techniques. Studying without this document means you risk focusing on irrelevant areas while missing what truly matters.

General Objectives

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Art is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives,

which are to:

1. Exhibit knowledge of the fundamental elements, principles, and terminologies of art;

2. Show knowledge of historical dimensions of art with emphasis on Nigerian arts and crafts;

3. Demonstrate knowledge of artistic techniques, processes, the use of materials, and maintenance of tools and equipment;

4. Display aesthetic awareness of the environment, meaning, and functions of art in society.

Related Article:

JAMB Syllabus 2026 for UTME and Direct Entry Candidates

JAMB Syllabus for Art 2026

TOPIC/CONTENT/NOTESOBJECTIVES
SECTION A 

1. Classification of Art:

a. Visual Arts (Fine and Applied Arts)

b. Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama)

c. Literary Arts (Poetry, Prose, Recital, etc.)

i. Differentiate between the three branches of art

2. Elements and Principles of Design:

a. Elements: line, colour, shape, form, texture, tone, value, space, etc.

b. Principles: balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, contrast, repetition, dominance, variety, etc.

ii. Identify the elements of design

iii. Analyse the principles of design

3. Art Terms

Pigments, motif, greenware, armature, silhouette, chiaroscuro, cireperdue, terracotta, etc.

iv. Identify art terms

v. Link the terms to their areas of art

vi. Use the terms in analysing artworks

SECTION B   

1. Historical Dimensions of Art:

a. Prehistoric, Greek and Roman Art

b. Medieval Art: architecture, surface decorations, calligraphy

c. Renaissance Art and Artists: Giotto Di Bondone, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael

d. 19th and 20th Century Movements: Impressionism, Realism, Futurism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism, Fauvism

i. Compare their materials, styles and techniques

ii. Classify the periods and styles with emphasis on architecture, surface decoration and calligraphy

iii. Compare the artists, their works and styles

iv. Differentiate between the various art movements

v. Analyse their styles, techniques, innovations and influences

2. Traditional African Art:

Egypt, Ashanti, Dogon, Mossi, Fon, Senufo, Bambara, Mende, Kissi, Bamileke, Bakumba

vi. Categorize works in terms of style, materials and locations

3. Traditional Nigerian Art:

Nok, Igbo Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Igala, Jukun, Akwanshi, Mbari

vii. Analyse the works in terms of functions, characteristics and locations

4. Nigerian Crafts:

Pottery, woodworks, cloth weaving, carving, leather works, metal works, beadworks, body decoration, mat and cane weaving.

viii. Trace the origins, locations and styles

5. Development in Contemporary Nigerian Arts and Artists:

a. Art Schools: Zaria, Nsukka, Osogbo group

b. Artists: Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, S. I. Wangboje, Jimoh Akolo, Dele Jegede, etc.

c. Museums, galleries and art centres

d. Art institutions and organisations: NSEA, S.N.A, N.C.A.C

e. Major Festivals: Argungu, Eyo, Egungun, Iriji, Durbar, Igue, Ekpo, Odo

ix. Determine the influence of art schools/groups on the development of art

x. Assess artists in terms of works, specializations, techniques and styles

xi. Analyse the functions of museums, galleries and institutions

xii. Evaluate their impact on the development of art

xiii. Assess their roles and functions

xiv. Examine the characteristics of major art and cultural festivals

SECTION C 

1. Artistic Skills, Techniques and Processes

a. Two Dimensional Art

b. Perspective:

i. Linear, angular, aerial, parallel etc

ii. Perspective terms:foreground, picture plane, eye level, vanishing point, foreshortening, optical illusion, depth

c. Sculpture, Creamics and Crafts

d. Computer Graphics: CorelDraw

i. the techniques, skills and processes with 
emphasis on tone, composition and colour 
application; 

ii. the types of perspective; 

iii. the use of perspective rules and terms; 

iv. techniques, skills and processes; 

v. the basic tools of designs
    
    
 

2. Tools, Materials and Equipment

a. Two Dimensional Art Tools

b. Two Dimensional Art Materials

c. Two Dimensional Art Equipment

d. Improvisation of tools, materials and equipment

vi. Maintain art tools

vii. Use art materials

viii. Operate and maintain art equipment

ix. Improvise alternative tools, material and equipment.

SECTION D 

1. Art Appreciation

 Man made Objects: achitecture, sculpture etc

Natural phenomena: Zuma Rock, Ikogosi Warm Springs

I. identify the aesthetic qualities of natural and 
manmade  phenomena in Nigerian environment; 

ii. differentiate between natural and manmade 
aesthetic phenomena;

2. Meaning and Functions of Art in Society

a. Functions of art in the society; religious, social, cultural, political, therapeutic and economic needs.

b. Functions of art in electronic and print media: advertisement, education, recreation etc

iii. examine the functions of art; 

iv. use art to enhance societal values; 

v. assess the role of art in electronic and print 
media; 

3. Art Entrepreneurship

Job prospects in the Visual Arts: Ceramist, Curator, Textile designer, Industrial designer, Sculptor, Photographer, Cartoonist, Illustrator etc.

vi. identify job opportunities in the Visual Arts.

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Recommended Texts

  • Banjoko, I. (2000). Visual Arts made Easy: Textbook for Schools and Colleges, Lagos, Movic Publishing Company Ltd. 
  • Egonwa, O.D. (1991). African Art: A Contemporary Source Book, Benin: Osasu Publishers. 
  • Egunlae, S.A. (1985). The Essential Groundwork in Art and Design, Omotola Standard Press and Bookshop (Nig) Ltd. 
  • Erese, U. O. and Ogunsina E. D. (1989). Creative Arts and Crafts for J. S. S. Onibonoje Press. 
  • Nahab, S. J. (2003) Art of the Millennium for Senior Secondary Schools, Ehindero (Nig.) Ltd. 
  • Ogumor, E. (1993) Certificate Art for Junior Secondary Schools and Senior Secondary Schools, Ibadan: University Press Plc. 
  • Olaosebikan W. A. (1982). Cultural and Creative Arts, Evans. 
  • Olurukooba, B. K. (1991). Art for Senior Secondary Schools, ABU. 
  • Uzoagba I. N. (1982) Understanding Art in General Education, Onitsha; African Publishing Ltd. 
  • Wangboje, I. N. (1982). A Textbook on Art for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Evans Publishers. 
  • Oyedun, Y.F. (2017). Excel in Arts, Photography, Dyeing, Starching and Bleaching, Lagos Yemsol Graphic Communication.