The JAMB Syllabus for Igbo is the essential guide for excelling in the UTME. It provides a structured roadmap of all topics to cover, from grammar and literature to cultural customs. Designed to test both language proficiency and cultural understanding, it ensures candidates can communicate effectively, analyse texts, and apply Igbo values to real life. 

Divided into sections on Language, Literature, Customs, and Writing, the syllabus helps students focus their studies efficiently. By following this syllabus and its recommended textbooks, candidates gain the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in the exam and secure admission.

General Objectives

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Igbo 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) Communicate and read effectively in Igbo;

2) Analyse issues in the language;

3) Interpret and explain figurative and idiomatic expressions in Igbo and

4) Apply Igbo literature to their daily life experiences and to demonstrate Igbo cultural values.

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JAMB Syllabus 2026 for UTME and Direct Entry Candidates

JAMB Syllabus for Igbo 2026

TOPIC/CONTENTSOBJECTIVES

SECTION A: LANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ)
Essay (Edemede)

a) Basic principles of essay writing:
introduction, body and conclusion

(b) Basic essay types and their
characteristics

(i) Narrative (Akọmakọ)

(ii) Descriptive and Expository (Nkọwa na Nkọwami)

(iii) Argumentative (Mgbagha/Arụmarụụka)

(iv) Speech making (Ekwumekwu)

(v) Letter Writing (Edemleta)

(vi) Dialogue (Mkparịtaụka)

Candidates should be able to:

(i) identify the basic principles of essay
writing;

(ii) use words and expressions
appropriate to a particular topic;

(iii) differentiate between different
essay types;

(iv) describe the characteristics of essay
types;

(v) compare different types of essay;

(vi) criticise other people’s essays.

Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa) One passage of about one hundred and fifty (150) wordsCandidates should be able to:
(i) explain the meanings of difficult
words;
(ii) give correct answers;
(iii) differentiate between figurative and
idiomatic expressions from the
passage;

Igbo Word Derivation (Usoro Mmụbaokwu n’Igbo)

Processes of word derivation

processes: coinages, loans and loansblends (Mmụbawanye mkpụrụokwusite n’usoro mmepụta, mkpụpụta,
mbite na mbiọgwa).

Candidates should be able to:
(i) differentiate between loan and
coined words;
(ii) identify loan words and loan blends
in Igbo;
(iii) spell Igbo words appropriately.

Oral Literature: Agụmagụ Ọnụ/

Agụmagụ Ọdịnala:

Folktales (ifo), myths (nkọmịrịkọ), legends (nkọkịrịkọ), poems (abụ),songs (uri), chants (mbem), riddles
(agwụgwa), oral drama (ejije ọnụ), tongue twister (okwuntụhị) dgz.

Candidates should be able to:

(i) create folk stories, chants, riddles, oral drama etc.

(ii) analyse various genres of oral literature;

(iii) present ideas/formulae in accordance with underlying
principles;

(iv) apply the lessons of oral literature to their everyday life.

SECTION B: General and Current Affairs (Ihe Ndị na eme Ugbua)
1. Topical issues in the Igbo language, literature and culture e.g., Ahịajiọkụ, Odenigbo lectures and Ọhaneze Ndị Igbo.

2. Authors, Publishers, dates and places of publication of works in Igbo.

3. Igbo Studies Association (ISA)

Candidates should be able to:
(i) identify some dates, themes and functions of Ahịajiọkụ, Odenigbo and Ọhaneze Ndi Igbo Lectures;

(ii) identify authors, publishers and dates of publication of various textbooks in Igbo;

(iii) acquaint themselves with the functions and contributions of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA).

DOWNLOAD JAMB SYLLABUS FOR IGBO 2026

Recommended Texts

  • Agụ-Ọfọdile, M.C. (2007). Nkụzi Asụsụ Igbo N’ụzọ Dị Mfe Maka Ndị Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Nke Atọ. Ibadan: Austin Modest Publishers.
  • Ụba – Mgbemena, A. (2006): Ntọala Usoroasụsụ Igbo. Ibadan: Gold Press Ltd.
  • Ofili, D. N., Anozie C. C. and Chukwu, A. O. (2012): Lingwistiiki Sayensị Asụsụ II. Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
  • Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Okebalama, C. N., Onweluzo, C. N. and Ekwe B. U. (1991). Ule Igbo Maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
  • Anọzie, C. C. (2003). Igbo Kwenu: Akụkọ na Omenala ndị Igbo Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
  • Ikekeonwu, C., Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Ubani, A. and Ugoji, J. (1999).Fonọlọji na Grama Igbo. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
  • Emenanjọ, E. N., Dike, O. N., Agomo S. N. and Ezeuko, R. O. (1999). Exam Focus Maka WASSCE Na UTME. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
  • Ọfọmata, C. E. (2005): Ndezu Ụtọasụsụ Igbo. Enugu: Format Publishers (Nig.) Ltd.
  • Nzeakọ, J. U. T. (1972). Omenala Ndị Igbo. Ibadan: Longman (Nig.) Ltd.
  • Okoye, O. F. S., Ofoegbu, N. F. and Ezidiegwu, B. L. (1997) Ọgbara Ọhụrụ Elidingtọasụsụ Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị. Onitsha: Houston Publishers Ltd.
  • Osuagwu, B. I. N. (1979). Ndị Igbo na Omenala Ha. Nigeria: Macmillan.
  • Ubesie, T. U. (1978). Ọdịnala Ndị Igbo. Ibadan: Oxford University Press.
  • Umeh, I. O. A., Onyekaonwu, G. O., Nwadike, I. U. and Okeke I. O. (1992). Ụtọasụsụ na Agụmagụ Igbo nke Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Sukul. Ibadan: Evans.