JAMB Igbo Syllabus
This is the JAMB UTME syllabus for Igbo, covering 13 topics. Each topic lists what you are expected to study and the objectives — what you should be able to do — based on the official JAMB syllabus.
General Objectives
The Igbo syllabus is designed to enable candidates to:
- Communicate effectively in Igbo.
- Analyse issues in the language.
- Interpret and explain figurative and idiomatic expressions in Igbo.
- Apply Igbo literature to their daily life experiences and demonstrate Igbo cultural values.
Detailed Igbo Syllabus
-
Essay (Edemede)
Contents
- Basic principles of essay writing: introduction, body, conclusion
- Essay types: Narrative (Akọmakọ)
- Descriptive/Expository (Nkọwa na Nkọwami)
- Argumentative (Mgbagha/Arụmarụụka)
- Speech making (Ekwumekwu)
- Letter Writing (Edemleta)
- Dialogue (Mkparịtaụka)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify the basic principles of essay writing
- use appropriate words and expressions for given topics
- differentiate between the types of essay
- describe the characteristics of each essay type
- compare the different types of essay
- criticize essays
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Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa)
Contents
- One passage of approximately 150 words
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- explain the meanings of difficult words
- provide correct answers to questions on the passage
- differentiate between figurative and idiomatic expressions
- deduce conclusions based on the passage
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Sounds and Sound Patterns (Ụdaasụsụ na Usoro Ụdaasụsụ)
Contents
- Vowels and Consonants (Ụdaume na mgbochiume)
- Sound processes: syllabic nasals (myiri ụdaume)
- Syllable structure (nkeji mkpụrụokwu)
- Vowel harmony (ndakọrịta ụdaume)
- Vowel assimilation (olilo ụdaume)
- Vowel/consonant elision (ndapụ)
- Tone and tone marking (Akara ụdaolu)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify vowels, consonants and syllabic nasals
- distinguish the speech sounds of the Igbo language
- recognize the syllabic nasals 'm' and 'n'
- determine the syllabic structure of words
- identify vowel groups
- describe vowel assimilation and elision
- assign tone marks appropriately
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Spelling and Spelling Rules / Igbo Orthography (Nsupe na Iwu Nsupe / Mkpụrụedemede Igbo)
Contents
- Spelling and spelling rules (Nsupe na Iwu Nsupe)
- Igbo orthography (Mkpụrụedemede Igbo)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- detect correctly written Igbo words
- observe consonant restrictions
- determine appropriate word division
- apply correct spellings in writing
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Dialect and Standard Igbo (Olundị/Olumba na Igbo Izugbe)
Contents
- Distinction between standard Igbo and dialects
- Use of standard Igbo in writing
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between standard Igbo and dialects
- use standard Igbo in writing
-
Vocabulary (Mkpụrụokwu dị n'asụsụ)
Contents
- Expansion of vocabulary through word derivation processes, coinages, loans and loan-blends (Ịmụbawanye mkpụrụokwu site n'usoro mmepụta, mkpụpụta, mbite na mbiọgwa)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between loan and coined words
- identify loan words and loan-blends
- use words appropriately
-
Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ)
Contents
- Parts of speech (Nkejiasụsụ): nominals (Mkpọaha), verbs (ngwaa), adjectives (nkọwa), adverbs (nkwuwa), affixes (mgbakwunye), enclitics (nsokwunya)
- Morpheme structure, types and functions — free and bound (nnọọrọonwe na ndabe)
- Word (mkpụrụokwu)
- Phrase (nkebiokwu)
- Clause (nkebiahịrị) — nominal, relative, adverbial
- Sentence (ahịrịokwu) — simple (mfe), compound (ukwu), complex (mgbagwọ)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between grammatical categories
- identify the parts of speech and their functions
- differentiate between affix types and their functions
- determine morpheme types and their functions
- identify words, phrases, clauses and sentences and their functions
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Translation (Ntụgharị)
Contents
- Translation of passages from English to Igbo and from Igbo to English
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- translate English to Igbo and vice versa
- communicate effectively in Igbo and English
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Literary Devices (Atụmatụokwu na atụmatụ agụmagụ)
Contents
- Alliteration (bịambia mgbochiume)
- Assonance (bịambịa ụdaume)
- Parallelism (kwunkwugha)
- Metaphor (mbụrụ)
- Simile (myiri)
- Hyperbole (egbeokwu)
- Personification (mmemmadụ)
- Proverbs (ilu)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify literary devices in passages
- interpret literary devices
- differentiate between the types of literary device
- use Igbo literary devices appropriately
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Oral Literature (Agụmagụ Ọnụ/Agụmagụ Ọdịnala)
Contents
- Folktales (ifo)
- Anecdotes (ụkabụilu)
- Myths (nkọmịrịkọ)
- Legends (nkọkịrịkọ)
- Poems (abụ)
- Songs (uri)
- Chants (mbem)
- Riddles (agwụgwa)
- Oral drama (ejije ọnụ)
- Tongue-twisters (okwuntụhị)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- create folk stories, anecdotes, chants, riddles and oral drama
- analyse oral literature genres
- present ideas and formulae according to their underlying principles
- apply the lessons of oral literature to daily life
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Written Literature (Agụmagụ Ederede) — Prose, Poetry and Drama
Contents
- Prose (Iduuazị): study of the prescribed prose text
- Poetry (Abụ): study of the prescribed poetry text and selected poems
- Drama (Ejije): study of the prescribed drama text
- Analysis of characters, themes, story lines, language and moral lessons
- Identification of authors, publishers and dates of publication
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- interpret the prescribed texts
- isolate and analyse characters
- compare figurative and idiomatic expressions
- analyse the structure and themes of the texts
- identify the author, publisher and date of publication
- draw and apply moral lessons to daily life
- identify drama types and appraise social problems raised
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Customs and Institutions (Omenala na Ewumewu)
Contents
- Various greetings (Ekele dị icheiche): morning, afternoon, evening, meals, labour and work
- Marriage: husband and wife, marriage negotiations (Alụmdi na nwunye, ịgba alụkwaghịm)
- Childbirth and post-partum care, naming ceremonies (Ọmụmụ na ile ọmụgwọ, ikupụta nwa, ibi ugwu, ịgụ aha)
- Political hierarchy and titles: Ọzọ, Eze/Obi/Igwe/Iyom (Echichi)
- Ekpe power, funeral rites and judgement (Ike ekpe, ịkwa ozu, ịgba mkpe)
- Patrilineal and matrilineal kinship groups (Ụmụnna, ụmụọkpụ/ụmụada)
- Age grades, compounds and associations (Ọgbọ/ebiri/uke, ọhanaeze, ezinaụlọ)
- Sacred things and taboos (Arụ na nsọala): sacred animals, plants, places, murder
- Traditional governance (Ọchịchị Ọdịnala)
- Guest reception, kola rite and title ceremonies (Nnabata ọbịa, ọji na ịtu nzu, itu aha)
- Divination, sacrifice and spirit appeasement (Ịgba afa, ịchụ aja, ịgọ mmụọ, ofufe)
- Oaths and vows (Nkwenye): head-bowing, oath-taking, life-long vows, praise-names
- Land ownership and disputes (Akụnaụba)
- Spiritual symbols and objects (Ikikere mmụọ): ọfọ, ogu, ọtọnsi, okpesi, ikenga
- Sports and games (Egwuregwu)
- Igbo occupations and trades (Akaọrụ ndị Igbo)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- describe their people's customs
- determine the rules and regulations guiding aspects of the culture
- describe the cultural importance of customs and institutions
- identify the changes caused by civilization
- explore their environment for cultural appreciation
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General and Current Affairs (Ihe Ndị na-eme Ugbua)
Contents
- Topical issues on Igbo language, literature and culture (e.g. Ahịajiọkụ and Odenigbo lectures)
- Ọhanaeze Ndị Igbo
- Authors, publishers and dates/places of publication of Igbo works
- Igbo Studies Association (ISA)
- Current issues (Okwuakpụnọnụ): HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, cultism, women's and children's rights, human rights violations, religious conflicts
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify the dates and themes of the Ahịajiọkụ and Odenigbo lectures
- identify the authors and dates of publication of Igbo textbooks
- identify publishing companies
- analyse the functions of Ọhanaeze Ndị Igbo
- understand the functions and contributions of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA)
- acquaint themselves with current issues, examine their effects and suggest remedies
Recommended Texts
- Emenanjo, E. N., Okolie, F. O. and Ekwe, B. U. (1995). Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Sukul I.
- Emenanjo, E. N., Dike, O. N., Agomo, S. N. and Ezeuko, R. O. (1999). Exam Focus maka WASSCE na UME. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Okebalama, C. N., Onweluzo, C. N. and Ekwe, B. U. (1991). Ule Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Ikekeonwu, C., Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Ubani, A. and Ugoji, J. (1999). Fonọlọji na Grama Igbo. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Nzeakọ, J. U. T. (1972). Omenala Ndị Igbo. Ibadan: Longman.
- Okoye, O. F. S., Ofoegbu, N. F. and Ezidiegwu, B. L. (1997). Ọgbara Ọhụrụ Ụtọasụsụ 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.
- Ụba-Mgbemena, A. (2006). Ntọala Usoroasụsụ Igbo. Ibadan: Gold Press Ltd.
- Anọzie, C. C. (2003). Igbo Kwenu: Akụkọ na Omenala ndị Igbo. Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
- Ọfọmata, C. E. (2005). Ndezu Ụtọasụsụ Igbo. Enugu: Format Publishers (Nig) Ltd.
- Ofili, D. N., Anozie, C. C. and Chukwu, A. O. (2012). Lingwistiiki Sayensị Asụsụ II. Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the JAMB UTME Igbo syllabus structured?
- The syllabus is organised into four broad sections: Section A — Languages (Asụsụ), Section B — Literature (Agụmagụ), Section C — Customs and Institutions (Omenala na Ewumewu), and Section D — General and Current Affairs (Ihe Ndị na-eme Ugbua). Together these cover language skills, literary study and Igbo cultural knowledge.
- What are the main aims of the JAMB Igbo syllabus?
- It aims to test whether candidates can communicate effectively in Igbo, analyse issues in the language, interpret and explain figurative and idiomatic expressions, and apply Igbo literature to daily life while demonstrating Igbo cultural values.
- What topics fall under the Languages (Asụsụ) section?
- Essay (Edemede), Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa), Sounds and Sound Patterns (Ụdaasụsụ), Spelling and Igbo Orthography, Dialect and Standard Igbo, Vocabulary (Mkpụrụokwu), Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ), and Translation (Ntụgharị).
- What does the Literature (Agụmagụ) section cover?
- It covers literary devices (alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, proverbs and more), oral literature (folktales, myths, legends, poems, songs, riddles, oral drama, tongue-twisters), and written literature in three genres — prose (iduuazị), poetry (abụ) and drama (ejije), studied through prescribed set texts.
- Is Igbo culture really tested in the UTME?
- Yes. Section C, Customs and Institutions, is a substantial part of the syllabus. It examines greetings, marriage, naming and burial rites, traditional titles and governance, kinship groups, taboos, divination, oaths, land matters, sacred objects like ọfọ and ikenga, occupations and games.
- What are 'current affairs' in the Igbo syllabus?
- Section D expects candidates to know topical matters such as the Ahịajiọkụ and Odenigbo lectures, Ọhanaeze Ndị Igbo, the Igbo Studies Association (ISA), authors and publishers of Igbo works, and current social issues like HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, cultism, and human rights — including their effects and remedies.
- Are there set literature texts for Igbo, and do they change?
- Yes. JAMB prescribes specific prose, poetry and drama texts (for example a named poetry collection with selected poems). These set texts are periodically revised across exam cycles, so always confirm the current prescribed titles on the official JAMB e-syllabus before studying.
- Do I need to study Standard Igbo or my own dialect?
- The syllabus emphasises Standard Igbo (Igbo Izugbe). Candidates should be able to differentiate between standard Igbo and dialects and use standard Igbo in writing, which is what the examination is set in.
Source: the official JAMB UTME syllabus (jamb.gov.ng / IBASS). Always confirm details against the official syllabus.