The JAMB Syllabus for Igbo 2026/2027 provides a clear outline of the topics and language skills candidates are expected to master before sitting for the UTME. It serves as the official study framework that defines the scope of examination questions and the standard of Igbo language proficiency required by JAMB.
Igbo as a UTME subject focuses on grammar, comprehension, vocabulary development, oral literature, written literature, and cultural expression. The UTME Igbo syllabus 2026/2027 is structured to test candidates’ understanding of the language, correct usage in communication, and appreciation of Igbo traditions and values embedded in texts.
Using the JAMB Igbo syllabus as a guide helps candidates concentrate on relevant areas, improve language accuracy, and gain confidence when answering objective questions in the UTME.
Objectives of Igbo Syllabus
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:
- Communicate and read effectively in Igbo
- Analyse issues in the language
- Interpret and explain figurative and idiomatic expressions in Igbo and;
- Apply Igbo literature to their daily life experiences and to demonstrate Igbo cultural values.
JAMB Syllabus for Igbo 2026
| S/N | TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | JAMB EXPECTATIONS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SECTION A: LANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) 1. 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) 2. Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa) One passage of about one hundred and fifty (150) words. | Candidates should be able to: 1. identify the basic principles of essay writing 2. use words and expressions appropriate to a particular topic 3. differentiate between different essay types 4. describe the characteristics of essay types 5 compare different types of essay 6. criticize other people’s essays 7. explain the meanings of difficult words 8. give correct answers 9. differentiate between figurative and idiomatic expressions from the passage 10. deduce conclusion(s) based on the passage. |
| 2 | SECTION B: LITERATURE (AGỤMAGỤ) 1. Literary devices (Atụmatụokwu) dịka alliteration (bịambia mgbochiume), assonance (bịambịa ụdaume), parallelism (kwunkwugha), metaphor (mbụrụ), simile (myiri), hyperbole (egbeokwu), personification (mmemmadụ) proverbs (ilu), dgz. 2. 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. 3. Written Literature (Agụmagụ Ederede) (a) Prose (iduuazị) Tony U. Ubesie (1993). Jụọ Obinna. Oxford University Press. (b) Poetry (Abụ) Inno Ụzọma Nwadike (2014). Akọnuche. Obosi: Pacific Publishers Ltd. | Candidates should be able to: 1. identify all literary devices in the passages 2. interpret literary devices 3. differentiate between types of literary devices 4. use Igbo literary devices appropriately 5. create folk stories, chants, riddles, oral drama etc. 6. analyse various genres of oral literature 7. present ideas/formulae in accordance with underlying principles 8. apply the lessons of oral literature to their everyday life. 9. interpret the text 10. isolate the characters in the book 11. identify figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text 12. analyse the text 13. identify the author, publisher and date of publication 14. draw moral lessons from the text 15. compare the types and themes of the poems 16. relate the poet’s idea to the contents of the poems 17. compare figurative and idiomatic expressions in the poems 18. analyse the structures of the poems 19. apply acquired knowledge and moral lessons from the poems to their daily lives |
| 3 | SECTION C: CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS (Omenala na Ewumewu) Igbo customs and institutions as categorized below: 1. Ekele dị iche ice: ekele ụtụtụ, ehihie, anyasị, nri, onye nọ n’ọrịa, nlakpu, ọrụ dg. 2. Alụmdi na nwunye, ịgba alụkwaghịm. 3. Ọmụmụ na ile ọmụgwọ, ikupụta nwa, ibi ugwu, ịgụ aha, ịzụ ahịa nwa, ịhụ eze. 4. Echichi: Nze na Ọzọ, Eze/Obi/Igwe, Iyọm/Lọọlọ. 5. Ike ekpe, iri ekpe, ịkwa ozu, ịgba mkpe. 6. Ụmụnna, ụmụọkpụ/ụmụada, iyomdi, nwadiala. 7. Ọgbọ/ebiri/uke, ọhanaeze, ezinaụlọ. 8. Arụ na nsọala: Ihe nsọ, anụ nsọ, osisi nsọ, ebe nsọ. 9. Ọchịchị Ọdịnala: Igwe/Eze, Nze na Ọzọ, ụmụnna, ezinaụlọ, ụmụọkpụ/ ụmụada, otu ọgbọ. 10. Nnabata ọbịa, ọji na ịtu nzu, itu aha, ịkwọ aka ụtụtụ, ịgọ ọfọ. | Candidates should be able to: 1. describe the customs of their people 2. determine the rules and regulations guiding specified aspects of the culture and tradition of the Igbo people 3. describe the importance of the aspects of Igbo culture 4. identify changes that have occurred as a result of civilization 5. explore their environment for a better appreciation of their culture |
| 4 | SECTION D: 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) CURRENT ISSUES (Okwuakpụnọnụ) Note: Item writers should also choose their topics for comprehension exercises from such current issues as the following: 1. HIV/AIDS, Cancer and Corona Virus (Ọrịa Mmịnwụ/Obirinaajaọcha, Awa eto na Ọrịa koro 2. Drug Abuse (Ịṅu Ọgwụ Agharaaghara) 3. Cultism (Otu Nzuzo) 4. Rights of Women and Children (Oruuru Ụmụnwaanyị na Ụmụaka) 5. Human Rights Violation and Child Abuse (Ịnapụ Mmadụ Ikike na Mmetọ Nwata) 6. Religious Conflicts (Nsogbu Ndọkụrịta Ekpemekpe Ụka) 7. Kidnapping (Ntọrọ Mmadụ) | Candidates should be able to: 1. identify some dates, themes and functions of Ahịajiọkụ, Odenigbo and Ọhaneze Ndi Igbo Lectures 2. identify authors, publishers and dates of publication of various textbooks in Igbo 3. acquaint themselves with the functions and contributions of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA). 4. acquaint themselves with current issues 5. examine their effects 6. suggest remedies to the problems |
Download Igbo Syllabus 2026
Click on the button below to download the official JAMB syllabus for Igbo 2026:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
QUES: What topics are covered in the JAMB Syllabus for Igbo 2026/2027?
ANS: The syllabus covers comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, translation, oral literature, written literature, and Igbo culture.
QUES: Is translation included in UTME Igbo?
ANS: Yes. Candidates may be asked to translate simple sentences or phrases from Igbo to English or from English to Igbo.
QUES: Are oral literature topics important in JAMB Igbo?
ANS: Yes. Oral literature such as folktales, proverbs, riddles, songs, and chants are key parts of the syllabus.
QUES: Does the Igbo syllabus include grammar in detail?
ANS: Yes. Candidates should understand sentence structure, parts of speech, tense usage, and correct application of grammatical rules.
QUES: Is Igbo culture tested in UTME Igbo?
ANS: Yes. Cultural values, customs, and traditions often appear in comprehension passages and literature questions.
QUES: Are comprehension passages compulsory in JAMB Igbo?
ANS: Yes. Comprehension questions test reading skills, understanding of context, and interpretation of information from Igbo texts.
QUES: Can I pass JAMB Igbo without studying literature?
ANS: No. Literature is an essential part of the syllabus and helps candidates understand language usage and cultural context.
QUES: Are idiomatic expressions tested in UTME Igbo?
ANS: Yes. Common Igbo idioms, proverbs, and expressions may appear in objective questions.
QUES: Is spoken Igbo tested in the UTME?
ANS: No. The exam is written, but understanding spoken expressions helps with vocabulary and comprehension questions.
QUES: What is the best way to study Igbo for JAMB?
ANS: Candidates should read Igbo texts regularly, study grammar rules, revise oral literature, practice translation, and solve past UTME questions.