JAMB Syllabus for Yoruba
JAMB has released the syllabus for the 2026 UTME, covering the different subjects candidates can choose for the examination. The syllabus is useful because it shows candidates the topics they are expected to study and the areas they should focus on while preparing.
If you are taking Yoruba in JAMB, you should not prepare without checking the official JAMB Syllabus for Yoruba. It covers the Language, Literature, and Culture areas of the subject, as well as the recommended texts candidates should read.
In this article, you will find the complete JAMB Yoruba syllabus for 2026, including the topics, objectives,s and recommended texts. Candidates should go through the syllabus carefully and use it to guide their preparation for the examination.
JAMB Syllabus for Yoruba
| SECTION | TOPICS / CONTENTS / NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|---|
| SECTION A | 1. LANGUAGE | |
| (a) Comprehension(i) Prose(ii) Verse | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify central issues in a passage and draw appropriate conclusions;(ii) determine basic assumptions and express ideas; and(iii) identify the meanings and functions of given phrases and sentences. | |
| (b) Essay Writing(i) Argumentative(ii) Descriptive(iii) Narrative(iv) Letter Writing, Formal and Informal, etc. | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify different types of essay; and(ii) apply different types of techniques associated with each type. | |
| (c) Sound System(i) Production of sounds, consonants and vowels;(ii) Tones and tone change;(iii) Syllable structure; and(iv) Sound processes, co-vowel occurrence, elision, deletion, etc. | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify organs of speech, speech sounds and parameters for describing each speech sound;(ii) determine their correct usages;(iii) detect linguistic errors, including pronunciation and wrong usage;(iv) determine the syllable components of words; and(v) demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles underlying the relationship between sounds. | |
| (d) Grammar(i) Morphology, word formation;(ii) Loan-word integration;(iii) Word classes, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, etc.;(iv) Phrases and clauses, types and functions; and(v) Sentences, types, structures and functions. | Candidates should be able to:(i) demonstrate good knowledge of word derivation;(ii) demonstrate knowledge of word adoption;(iii) identify the appropriate class a word belongs to;(iv) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Yoruba syntax; and(v) identify the types, structures and functions of sentences. | |
| (e) Current Orthography | Candidates should be able to present ideas in acceptable written form. | |
| (f) Translation | Candidates should be able to interpret sentences and ideas in accordance with acceptable principles. | |
| 2. LITERATURE | ||
| (a) Oral Literature(i) Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ):Babalọlá, A. (2023). Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ̀ Ìjàpá (Apá Kejì). Ibadan: University Press Plc.(ii) Drama (Eré Oníṣẹ̀):Ògúnníran, L. (2022). Eégún Aláré. Ibadan: Golden Pen Publishers. | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify central issues, problems and the parts of ideas presented in the work of art;(ii) draw moral lessons from the text;(iii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text; and(iv) draw appropriate conclusions. For drama, candidates should be able to:(i) identify the type of drama;(ii) extract the narrative techniques in the drama;(iii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the drama;(iv) identify the central theme of the work; and(v) interpret it in accordance with acceptable principles of the society. | |
| (b) Written Literature(i) Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ):Ìṣọ̀lá, A. (2023). Ogun Ọmọdé. Ibadan: University Press Plc. (ii) Poetry (Ewì): Adéwọlé, O. (2023). Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn. Ibadan: University Press Plc.Pages:1–50 (2026), 51–83 (2027), 84–116 (2028), 117–152 (2029), 153–216 (2030) | Candidates should be able to:(i) demonstrate good knowledge of ideas in the work of art;(ii) draw moral lessons from the text;(iii) identify the narrative techniques in the text; and(iv) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text. For poetry, candidates should be able to:(i) deduce the import of written works of art and genres; and(ii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the poem. | |
| (iii) Drama (Eré Onítàn):Fádíyà, O. (2023). Òtè Òyè. Ibadan: Genius Books Publishers. | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify the central theme of the work;(ii) interpret it in accordance with acceptable principles of the society;(iii) identify types of drama;(iv) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the drama; and(v) extract the narrative techniques in the drama. | |
| 3. CULTURE | ||
| (a) Èrò àti Ìgbàgbọ́:Olódùmarè, àkúdàáyà, eré, àjẹ́, àwọn irúnmọlẹ̀, etc. | Candidates should be able to distinguish traditional practices and acceptable ways of life from modern and common-sense beliefs. | |
| (b) Ètò Ìṣèlú àti Ààbò Ìlú:Ẹgbẹ́ àti ọ̀gbà, oyè jíjẹ àti àwọn ìjọyè, ogun jíjà, etc. | Candidates should be able to assess the functions and roles of individuals, chieftains, and groups in ensuring peace, stability, and continuity of society. | |
| (c) Ètò Ìsìnkú àti Ogun Pínpín:Òkú àgbà, òkú ọ̀fọ̀, òkú òòsà, ìtúfọ̀, ilẹ̀ òkú gbígbẹ́, ìdì igi, mọ̀lẹ́bí, bàbá ìsìnkú, etc. | Candidates should be able to:(i) distinguish between traditional practices; and(ii) relate them to funerals and inheritance. | |
| (d) Ọ̀ǹkà Yorùbá:Oókan títí dé ọ̀kẹ́ kan, 1–20,000. | Candidates should be able to:(i) count in Yoruba numerals; and(ii) apply addition, subtraction, and division methods in Yoruba. | |
| (e) Ètò Ìgbéyàwó àti Ìsọmọlórúkọ:Gbogbo ohun tó rọ̀ mọ́ ìgbéyàwó àti ìsọmọlórúkọ. | Candidates should be able to relate social activities and events to appropriate situations. | |
| (f) Ètò Ìwòsàn:Ìtọ́jú aláìsàn, ìtọ́jú àti ìgbẹ̀bí aboyún, etc. | Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the best way of using appropriate healthcare practices. | |
| (g) Eré Ìdárayá(i) Eré òṣùpá, àlọ́, bójúbojú, etc.;(ii) Eré ojúmọ́mọ́, ìjàkadì, ayò, ọ̀kọ̀tó, àrìn, etc. | Candidates should be able to:(i) identify types of Yoruba traditional games;(ii) identify rules and regulations guiding each game; and(iii) mention values derived from each game. | |
| (h) Iṣẹ́ Abínibí àti Oúnjẹ Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá(i) Iṣẹ́-àgbẹ̀, ìṣọ̀nà, ìlù lílu, etc.;(ii) Oúnjẹ, àbàrí, iyán, ẹ̀wà, etc. | Candidates should be able to:(i) demonstrate adequate knowledge of the various traditional professions;(ii) compare various traditional professions;(iii) demonstrate knowledge of preparing each type of Yoruba food; and(iv) mention the nutritional values of each food. | |
| (i) Ẹ̀kọ́ Ilé:Ìwà ọmọlúàbí àti àǹfààní rẹ̀. | Candidates should be able to identify acceptable patterns of behaviour and attitudes that conform with societal norms and values. |
JAMB Yoruba Recommended Texts
The recommended texts are also an important part of the JAMB Yoruba syllabus. Candidates should make use of these books when preparing for the examination, especially for the Language and Culture sections.
Language
- Abíọ̀dún, J. (1995). Àròkọ àti Ààyàn Ògbùfọ̀. Lagos: MAJAB Publishers.
- Adéwọlé, L. O. et al. (2000). Exam Focus – Yorùbá Language for WASSCE/SSCE. Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Awóbulúyì, O. (1978). Essentials of Yorùbá Grammar. Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Awóbulúyì, O. (ed.) (1990). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá), Vol. II. Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Awóbulúyì, O. (2008). Ẹ̀kọ́ Ìṣẹ̀dá-Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá. Akure: Montem Paperback.
- Awóbulúyì, O. (2013). Ẹ̀kọ́ Gírámà Èdè Yorùbá. Oshogbo: Atman Ltd.
- Babalọlá, A. (ed.) (1991). Ìwé Ìmọ̀dọ̀tun Yorùbá SSI–SSIII. Longman.
- Bámgbóṣé, O. (ed.) (1984). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá), Vol. I. Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Bámgbóṣé, A. (1990). Fọnọ́lọ́jì àti Gírámà Yorùbá. Ibadan.
- Mustapha, O. (ed.) (1988). Ẹ̀kọ́-Èdè Yorùbá Òde-Òní SSI–SSIII. Macmillan Publishers.
- Mustapha, O. (ed.) (1991). Ẹ̀kọ́-Èdè Yorùbá Titun SSI–SSIII. Ibadan: UP Plc.
- Ọdẹ́tọ́kun, A. et al. (2005). Ìwé Ìgbáradì fún Ìdánwò Yorùbá. Ibadan: Macmillan Publishers.
- Owólabí, K. (1989). Ìjìnlẹ̀ Ìtúpalẹ̀ Èdè Yorùbá (1): Fóńẹ́tíìkì àti Fọnọ́lọ́jì. Ibadan: Oníbọ̀nòjẹ́ Press.
- Owólabí, O. et al. (1999). Countdown WASSCE/SSCE, NECO, JME (Ìwé Ìgbáradì fún Ìdánwò Àṣekágbá Yorùbá). Ibadan: Evans.
- Ọ̀yá́dè ́yì, O. (1998). Ìjìnlẹ̀ Fọnọ́lọ́jì àti Gírámà Èdè Yorùbá. Ibadan: Heinemann.
Literature
All the prescribed Literature texts are listed in the Topics/Contents/Notes section of the JAMB Yoruba syllabus. Candidates should refer to the syllabus to identify the texts prescribed for their examination year.
Culture
- Adéoyè, C. L. (1979). Àṣà àti Ìṣe Yorùbá. Ibadan: OUP.
- Adéoyè, C. L. (1985). Ìgbàgbọ́ àti Ẹ̀sìn Yorùbá. Ibadan: Oníbọ̀nòjẹ́ Press.
- Ládélẹ́, T. A., et al. (1986). Àkójọpọ̀ Ìwádìí Ìjìnlẹ̀ Àṣà Yorùbá. Ibadan: Macmillan Publishers.
If you found this syllabus helpful, share it with other JAMB candidates who are also preparing for Yoruba. You can also check our other JAMB syllabuses, subject combinations, and admission guides to help you prepare for the examination and make the right choices during registration.
