JAMB Syllabus for Hausa
Having the right study materials can make your JAMB preparation easier. The JAMB Syllabus for Hausa is especially important because it shows candidates the topics they are expected to cover for each subject. It helps you organise your study time and focus on the areas that are relevant to the examination.
If you are preparing to write JAMB UTME and Hausa is one of the subjects you have selected, you should make sure you are familiar with the official Hausa syllabus. Knowing the topics ahead of time can help you plan your revision and avoid leaving important areas uncovered.
This article contains the JAMB Hausa syllabus, including the topics and contents candidates are expected to study. It also includes the prescribed set texts and recommended books to help you prepare for the examination.
JAMB Syllabus for Hausa
Hausa Language Syllabus
| Topic | Content |
|---|---|
| Syntax (Ginin Jumla) | Grammatical categories: Tense and aspect, including general and relative past, general and relative continuous, first and second future, and habitual. Mood, including subjunctive and negative. Gender, including masculine, feminine and neuter. Number, including singular and plural. |
| Sentence structure: Verbal sentence; nominal phrase + verbal phrase and their components; non-verbal sentence, including nominal phrase + stabilizer, nominal phrase + complement + stabilizer, and nominal phrase + continuous frame (yana/yake… (+da) + nominal phrase). | |
| Sentence types: Simple sentences, compound sentences and complex sentences. | |
| Clauses: Types of clauses, including relative and subjunctive clauses; functions of clauses, including main and subordinate clauses. | |
| Semantics (Ma’ana) | Lexical aspects of word meaning: Ambiguity, synonyms and antonyms. |
| Figures of speech: Specialised meanings of words and phrases, including idioms and proverbs. | |
| Culture (Al’adu) | Hausa Customs (Rayuwar Hausawa): |
| Birth (Haihuwa): Pregnancy, carrying pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, customs observed during the first week after birth, bathing, ɓanti, weaning, circumcision and adolescence. | |
| Marriage (Aure): Types of marriage, searching for a spouse, engagement, marriage ceremony, wedding celebrations, married life, divorce and widowhood. | |
| Death (Mutuwa): Announcing death, bathing the deceased, funeral prayer, burial, mourning, charity, widowhood and inheritance. | |
| Influence of modernity: The effect of modern life on Hausa customs, including birth, marriage and death. | |
| Social Institutions (Zamantakewa) | Family structure and gandu system; relationships between co-wives and relatives; slavery and agolanci. |
| Neighbourhood relationships. | |
| Gandu work and communal labour (gayya). | |
| Friendship and companionship. | |
| Greetings and hospitality. | |
| Influence of modernity on social relationships. | |
| Traditional Occupations (Sana’o’in Gargajiya) | Traditional occupations and related aspects of Hausa society. |
JAMB Hausa Set Texts for UTME 2026–2030
The JAMB Hausa syllabus provides prescribed texts under Written Literature, Oral Literature, Language, Culture, and General Reference Books. The set texts are as follows:-
A. Written Literature
| Genre | Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prose | Maraya | Mahe, I. A. | Extension Publishers Limited, Ibadan, 2021 |
| Drama | Malam Zalimu | Gidan Dabino, A. H. | Gidan Dabino Publishers, Kano, 2013 |
| Poetry | Waƙoƙin Wayar Da kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya | Anwar, A. | ABU Press, Zaria, 2024 |
B. Oral Literature
| Genre | Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prose | Mu Sha Dariya | Tofa, B. O. | NNPC, Zaria, 2018 |
| Drama | Wasannin Tashe | Umar, M. B. | NNPC, Zaria, 2009 |
| Poetry | Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka | Gusau, S. M. | Benchmark Publishers Ltd, 2003 |
C. Language
| Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Sound System and Grammar Hausa | Sani, M. A. Z. | U.P.P. Plc, Ibadan, 2000 |
D. Culture
| S/N | Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayuwar Hausa | CSNL/BUK | Nelson, Lagos, 1980 |
| 2 | Hausa Customs | Madauci, I. | NNPC, 1985 |
The syllabus also provides a separate list of general reference books and recommended texts for candidates preparing for the examination.
Recommended Texts
A. Language
- Almajir, T.S. et al. (2016), Idioms in English – Hausa, Zaria: ABU Press.
- Galadanci, M.K.M. (1976), Introduction to Hausa Grammar, Zaria: Longman.
- Junju, M.H. (1980), Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa, Zaria: NNPC.
- Muhammad, Y.M. (2005), Fassarar Hausa, Zaria: ABU Press.
- Sani, M.A.Z. (1999), Tsarin Sauti Da Nahawun Hausa, Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Sani, M.A.Z. et al. (2000), Exam Focus: Hausa Language, Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Skinner, N. (1977), Grammar of Hausa, Zaria: NNPC.
- Yahaya, I.Y. et al. (1992), Darussan Hausa Don Manyan Makarantun Sakandare 1–3, Ibadan: UP Plc.
B. Literature and Culture
- Bichi, A.Y. (1979), Waƙoƙin Bikin Aure, Lagos: Nelson.
- Dangambo, A. (1984), Rabe-Raben Adabin Baka da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausawa, Kano: Triumph Publishing Company.
- Gusau, S.M. (1991), Makaɗa Da Mawaƙan Hausa, Kaduna: Fisbas Media Service.
- Ibrahim, M.S. (1977), Kowa Ya Sha Kiɗa, Zaria: Longman.
- Madauci, I. et al. (1992), Hausa Customs, Zaria: ABU Press.
- Umar, M.B. (1976), Ɗanmaraya Jos Da Waƙoƙinsa, Ibadan: OUP.
- Umar, M.B. (1977), Wasannin Tashe, Zaria: NNPC.
Candidates are advised to study the Hausa syllabus carefully and make sure they cover all the topics listed before the examination. You should also pay attention to the prescribed set texts and recommended books, as they can help you prepare better for the exam.
If you have any questions about the JAMB Hausa syllabus or the recommended texts, feel free to ask in the comments.
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