JAMB Syllabus for History 2026/2027 Official PDF Download

JAMB Syllabus for History Official PDF Download. If you are just getting ready for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam in 2026 and History is among your JAMB subject combination, then finding yourself here is good luck! 

But before you dive into the exciting world of History, it’s crucial to understand the term “JAMB syllabus”.

What is JAMB Syllabus?

JAMB syllabus is a document prepared and released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). It contains a broad selection of topics and chapters per specific subject where JAMB will be focusing their question sets when setting the UTME questions for candidates.

What Is JAMB History Syllabus?

The JAMB History syllabus is an organized framework designed and compiled in a PDF to guide candidates in understanding the fundamental principles and applications of History. 

It outlines the key topics, learning objectives, and concepts that students must grasp to excel in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This syllabus serves as a structured guide to ensure standard preparation and mastery of History.

Importance of the JAMB History Syllabus

The JAMB History syllabus acts as your personal guide. It shows you the specific topics and concepts that will be covered in the JAMB History examination. 

By thoroughly studying the syllabus, you can:

• Identify key areas of focus: You’ll know exactly what to prioritize in your studies, ensuring you don’t waste time on irrelevant information.
• Create a study timetable: The syllabus helps you structure your study sessions effectively, allowing you to cover all the important topics systematically.
• Predict potential exam questions: JAMB often draws questions directly from the syllabus, so understanding it will help you anticipate the types of questions you might meet in exam.
• Boost your confidence: Knowing what to expect on exam day can significantly reduce anxiety and boost your confidence.

JAMB Syllabus for History 2026 General Objectives

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2026 syllabus in History is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. 

It is designed to test their achievement of the subject’s objectives, which are:

1. Impart knowledge of Nigerian history from earliest times to the present;
2. Identify the similarities and relationships among the people of Nigeria as they relate to the issues of national unity and integration;
3. Appreciate Nigerian history as the basis to understand West African and African history;
4. Apply history to understand Nigerian and Africa’s relationship with the wider world;
5. Analyse issues of modernization and development;
6. Relate the past to the present and plan for the future.

JAMB Syllabus For History 2026

Here is a table displaying the JAMB History 2026 Syllabus in a tabular form. To get the PDF document, you have to keep reading this article further after the table.

PART I: NIGERIA

SECTION A: The Nigeria Area up to 1800

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	Land and Peoples of the Nigeria Area	Geographical zones and the people People’s relationship with the environment Relations and integration among peoples of different zones	Identify the geographical zones and the people within them Establish the relationship between the people and the environment Comprehend relationships among the various peoples of the Nigeria area
2	Early Centres of Civilization	Nok, Daima, Ife, Benin, Igbo Ukwu, Iwo Eleru Monuments and shelter systems (Kuyambana, Durbi ta Kusheyi, city walls, palaces)	Examine the significance of various centres Establish the historical significance of monuments such as caves and rocky formations
3	Origin and Formation of States in the Nigeria Area	Central Sudan: Kanuri and Hausa states Niger Benue Valley: Nupe, Jukun, Igala, Idoma, Tiv, Ebira Eastern Forest Belt: Igbo, Ibibio Western Forest Belt: Yoruba, Edo Coastal and Niger Delta: Efik, Ijo, Itsekiri, Urhobo Factors influencing origin and migration Social and political organizations Inter state relations, religion, war and peace	Relate the groups in various zones to traditions of origin Determine inter state relations Account for social and political organizations
4	Economic Activities and Growth of States	Agriculture: hunting, farming, fishing, animal husbandry, horticulture Industries: pottery, salt making, iron smelting, blacksmithing, leather working, wood carving, cloth making, dyeing, food processing Trade and trade routes: local, regional, long distance, trans Sahara trade Expansion of states	Identify various economic activities Differentiate economic activities and specialties Relate trade and economic activities to growth of states
5	External Influences	North Africans/Arabs: introduction, spread and impact of Islam; trans Saharan trade Europeans: early trade with coastal states; trans Atlantic slave trade (origin, organization, impact)	Assess impact of contact with North Africa on states south of the Sahara Examine impact of early European contact with coastal peoples Trace origin, organization and impact of the trans Atlantic slave trade

SECTION B: The Nigeria Area 1800 to 1900

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	Sokoto Caliphate and the Sokoto Jihad	Causes and process of the jihad Establishment, administration and relations with neighbours Achievements and impact Collapse of the caliphate	Examine causes and processes of the jihad Determine factors behind the rise of the caliphate Examine administration and relations with neighbours Examine impact of the caliphate Trace internal and external factors leading to collapse
2	Kanem Borno	Collapse of the Saifawa dynasty Borno under the Shehus Borno under Rabeh	Determine factors leading to collapse of the Saifawa dynasty Examine Borno under the Shehus Assess the role of Rabeh in Borno’s history
3	Yorubaland	Fall of Old Oyo Empire Yoruba wars and their impact Peace treaty of 1886 and aftermath	Examine causes of the fall of Old Oyo Examine causes and effects of Yoruba wars Assess impact of the 1886 peace treaty
4	Benin	Internal political development Relations with neighbours Relations with Europeans	Examine internal political development Examine relations with neighbours Assess relationship with Europeans
5	Nupe	Internal political development Relations with neighbours	Examine Nupe internal political development Assess relations with neighbours
6	Igbo	Internal political development Relations with neighbours	Examine Igbo internal political development Assess relations with neighbours
7	Efik	Internal political development Relations with neighbours	Examine Efik internal political development Assess relations with neighbours
8	European Penetration and Impact	Exploration of the interior Suppression of the trans Atlantic slave trade Commodity trade and rise of consular authority Christian missionary activities Activities of trading companies Impact on coast and hinterland	Examine motives for exploration of the interior Give reasons for suppression of the trans Atlantic slave trade Trace development of commodity trade Examine missionary and European activities Assess activities of European trading companies Account for the rise of consular authority
9	British Conquest of the Nigeria Area	Motives for the conquest Methods and results Resistance and aftermath	Determine reasons for the conquest and methods used Examine resistance to the conquest Evaluate results and aftermath of the conquest

SECTION C: Nigeria 1900 to 1960

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	Establishment of Colonial Rule up to 1914	Administration of the protectorates	Examine the administrative set up of the protectorates
2	Amalgamation of 1914	Reasons Effects	Examine the reasons for the 1914 amalgamation and its effects
3	Colonial Administration after Amalgamation	Central administration: Legislative and Executive Councils Indirect rule: reasons, working and effects Local institutions: Native Authorities, Native Courts, Native Treasuries Resistance: Ekumeku movement (1898 to 1911), Satiru uprising (1906), Egba anti tax agitation (1918), Aba women’s movement (1929)	Relate composition of central administration to consequences Identify reasons for indirect rule and explain its workings Assess effects of indirect rule Examine local administrative units Account for anti colonial movements and their significance
4	Colonial Economy	Currency, taxation and forced labour Infrastructure: transportation, post and telecommunication Agriculture, mining, industry, commerce, banking	Examine the nature of the economy as it affects taxation, currency, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, industry, commerce and banking
5	Social Development under Colonial Rule	Western education Urbanization and social integration Improvement unions Health institutions	Identify areas of social development under colonial rule Examine the impact of urbanization Examine the level of social integration among the people
6	Nationalism, Constitutional Developments and Independence	Rise of nationalist movements Clifford Constitution (1922) and first political party World War II and agitation for independence Richards Constitution (1946) Macpherson Constitution (1951) Party politics, regionalism, federalism and minorities agitation Lyttleton Constitution (1954) Constitutional conferences: Lagos (1957), London (1958) General elections (1959) and independence (1960)	Trace the emergence of nationalist movement Assess roles of constitutions in constitutional development Examine effect of World War II on constitutional developments and independence struggle Trace development of party politics and its impact on regionalism and minority question Examine impact of constitutional conferences Determine factors that aided attainment of independence

SECTION D: Nigeria Since Independence

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	First Republic and Military Intervention	Struggle for control of the centre Revenue allocation Minority question 1962/63 census controversies Action Group crisis and general elections of 1964/65 January 1966 coup and Ironsi regime	Give reasons behind struggle for control of the centre Account for controversies in revenue allocation Account for controversies generated by minority question and creation of states Account for 1962/63 census controversies Examine problems created by Action Group crisis and 1964/65 elections Assess significance of military intervention and Ironsi regime
2	Nigerian Civil War	Causes Course Effects	Examine remote and immediate causes Examine the course Assess effects of the war
3	Gowon Regime	Challenges and achievements	Assess challenges and achievements of the Gowon regime
4	Murtala/Obasanjo Regime	Challenges and achievements	Assess challenges and achievements of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime
5	Second Republic	Challenges and achievements	Evaluate challenges and achievements of the Second Republic
6	Buhari Regime	Challenges and achievements	Assess challenges and achievements of the Buhari regime
7	Babangida Regime	Challenges and achievements	Assess challenges and achievements of the Babangida regime
8	Interim National Government (ING)	Role and challenges	Examine the role and challenges of the ING
9	Abacha Regime	Challenges and achievements	Assess challenges and achievements of the Abacha regime
10	Nigeria in International Organizations	ECOWAS African Union (AU) Commonwealth of Nations OPEC United Nations Nigeria’s role in conflict resolution (Congo, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Sudan)	Examine Nigeria’s role in ECOWAS Assess Nigeria’s role in the AU Evaluate Nigeria’s role in the Commonwealth Assess Nigeria’s role in OPEC Examine Nigeria’s role in the UN Examine Nigeria’s role in conflict resolution in selected African states

PART II: AFRICA AND THE WIDER WORLD SINCE 1800

SECTION A: West and North Africa

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	Islamic Reform Movements and State Building in West Africa	Relationship between Sokoto and other jihads Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al Hajj Umar Activities of Samori Toure	Establish relationship between Sokoto jihad and other jihads Compare achievements of Seku Ahmadu and Al Hajj Umar Examine activities of Samori Toure of the Madinka Empire
2	Sierra Leone, Liberia and Christian Missionary Activities	Founding of Sierra Leone and Liberia and spread of Christianity Activities and impact of Christian missionaries	Determine factors that led to founding of Sierra Leone and Liberia Examine importance of Sierra Leone and Liberia in spread and impact of Christianity Assess impact of Christian missionary activities in West Africa
3	Egypt under Mohammed Ali and Khedive Ismail	Rise of Mohammed Ali and reforms Relations with Europeans Ismail’s fiscal policies British occupation of Egypt	Determine factors aiding Mohammed Ali’s rise and reforms Establish relationship between Mohammed Ali’s empire and Europeans Account for Ismail’s fiscal policies Examine reasons for British occupation of Egypt
4	Mahdi and Mahdiyya Movement in the Sudan	Causes Course Consequences	Examine causes, course and consequences of the Mahdiyya movement

SECTION B: Eastern and Southern Africa

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	The Omani Empire	Rise of the Omani empire Commercial and political relations with coast and hinterland Relations with Europeans	Determine factors that led to the rise of the Omani empire Assess establishment of relations with coast and hinterland Examine relationship between Omani empire and Europeans
2	Ethiopia in the 19th Century	Theodore II and unification attempt Menelik II and Ethiopian independence	Examine factors behind rise of Theodore II Analyse strategies adopted for Ethiopian unification Assess Menelik II’s role in maintaining independence
3	The Mfecane	Rise of the Zulu nation Causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane	Trace events in Nguniland before the Mfecane Determine factors behind rapid rise of Shaka Examine causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane
4	The Great Trek	Frontier wars British intervention in Boer African relations Great Trek and consequences	Determine factors that led to frontier wars Account for British intervention in Boer African relations Describe the nature of the Great Trek Examine its consequences

SECTION C: Imperialism, Colonialism and Problems of Nation Building in Africa

S/N	Topic	Contents	Objectives (Candidates should be able to)
1	New Imperialism and European Occupation of Africa	New imperialism in Africa Scramble for Africa Berlin conference Occupation and African resistance	Assess causes of new imperialism Examine causes of the scramble Account for significance of the Berlin conference Examine African resistance to occupation
2	Patterns of Colonial Rule in Africa	British French Portuguese Belgians	Examine and compare patterns of colonial rule by various European powers
3	Politics of Decolonization	Colonial policies and African discontent Impact of the two world wars Nationalist activities and emergence of political parties and associations Strategies for attaining independence	Examine colonial policies and magnitude of African discontent Assess impact of World War I and II on African nationalism Determine strategies used in attainment of independence
4	Apartheid in South Africa	Origin of apartheid Rise of Afrikaner nationalism Apartheid laws Internal reaction and suppression of African nationalist movements External reaction: Frontline states, Commonwealth, OAU, UN Dismantling of apartheid and post apartheid development	Trace origin of apartheid Give reasons for rise of Afrikaner nationalism Evaluate apartheid laws Relate internal reactions to struggle for majority rule Relate contributions of African states and international organizations to anti apartheid struggle Identify steps towards dismantling apartheid Assess post apartheid development in South Africa
5	Problems of Nation Building in Africa	Political and economic challenges and constraints Physical and environmental challenges Ethnic and religious pluralism Military intervention and political instability Neo colonialism and under development Boundary disputes and threats to African unity Civil wars and the refugee problem	Examine political and economic problems faced by African states Assess effects of physical and environmental challenges Determine the role of ethnic and religious problems Examine the role of the military in African politics Examine the role of neo colonialism Assess problems of boundary disputes Establish the relationship between civil wars and refugee problems

JAMB Recommended Texts for History

S/N	JAMB History Recommended Texts
1	Abba, A (2006): The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano, Kaduna Vanguard and Publishers.
2	Ayandele, A. E. et al (1986): The Making of Modern Africa, The Twentieth Century Vol 2., Longman.
3	Ajayi and Crowther (1971): History of West Africa Vol. I, London, Longman.
4	Ajayi and Crowther (1974): History of West Africa Vol. II, London, Longman.
5	Akinloye, S. A. (1976): Emergent African States: Topics in Twentieth Century African History, Longman.
6	Akinyemi, A. B., Agbi, S. O and Otunbanjo, A. O. (eds) (1989): Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 years. (International Relations) Vol x, Heinemann. Ibadan.
7	Anene J. C. and Brown, G (1966): African in the 19th and 20th centuries, Ibadan: University Press.
8	Anene J. C. (1966): Southern Nigeria in Transition, 1885 – 1906, Cambridge: University Press.
9	Anene, J. C and Brown, G (eds) (1972): African in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: A Handbook for Teachers and Students, Ibadan: University Press and Nelson.
10	Ashiwaju A. I., Croder, M and Denzer, I. R. (eds) Tariki 25, Grassroots Leadership in Colonial West Africa, Vol. 7, London: Longman.
11	Atanda, J. A. Ashiwaju, G and Abubakar, Y. (eds) (1989) Nigeria since Independence: The First Years: Religion Vol. i., Ibadan Heinemann.
12	Barkindo, B. et al (1989): Africa and the Wider World, Vol. 1. Lagos: Longman.
13	Barkindo, B. et al (1996): African and the Wider World, Vols. 2 and 3, Lagos: Longman.
14	Boahen, A (1969) The Revolutionary years: Africa since 1800 Longman publishers.
15	Boahen, A (1969): The Revolutionary years: West Africa since 1800, Longman Publishers.
16	Sokoto Caliphate: History and Legacies, 1804 – 2004, vols. I and II, Kaduna: Arewa House.
17	Celeman, J. S. (1986) Nigeria: Background to Nationalism, Benin: Broburg and Wistrom.
18	Clerk, T. A. (1991): Right Honourable Gentleman: The Life and Times of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Zaria: Hudahuda Publishing Company.
19	Cohen, D. I. and Daniel, J. (eds) (1981): Political Economy of Africa: Selected Readings, London, Longman.
20	Crowther, M. West Africa: An introduction to its History, Longman, 1977.
21	Crowther, M. Nigeria: An introduction to its History, London: Longman, 1979.
22	Dike, K. O. (1956): Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta, London: Oxford University Press.
23	Ekeh, P. P and Ashiwaju, G. (eds) (1989): Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years: Culture, Vol. VII, Ibadan: Heinemann.
24	Falola, T. et. al (1989): History of Nigeria Vol. I, Lagos: Longman.
25	Falola T. et. al (1989): History of Nigeria Vol. 2 and 3, Lagos: Longman.
26	Gboyega, A., Abubakar, Y and Aliyu Y. (eds) (1989): Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years Public Administration, Vol. III, Ibadan: Heinemann.
27	Hallet, R. (1975): Africa since 1875, Ibadan: Heinemann.
28	Hopkins, A. G. (1973): An Economic History of West Africa, Longman.
29	Ikime, O and Osoba, S. O. (eds) Tarikh: Independence Movement in Africa (Part I), Vol. 3, No. 4 London: Longman.
30	Ikime, O and Osoba, S. O. (eds) Tarikh: Government in Pre-Colonial Africa, Vol. 4, No. 2 London, Longman.
31	Ikime, O and Osoba, S. O. (eds) (undated): Peoples and Kingdoms of West Africa in the Pre-colonial Period, Vol. 5, No. 1 London: Longman.
32	Ikime, O and Osoba, S. O. (eds) (undated) Tarikh: Europeans Conquest and African Resistance (Part 2), Vol. 4, London: Longman.
33	Ikime, O (1977) The Fall of Nigeria: The British Conquest, London: Heinemann.
34	Ikime, O (ed) (1974) Leadership in 19th Century Africa: Essays from Tarikh, London: Longman.
35	Ikime, O. (1968) Merchant Price of the Niger Delta, London: Heinemann.
36	Ikime, O. (ed) (1980) Ground work of Nigerian History, Ibadan: Heinemann.
37	Iseihei, E. (1983) A History of Nigeria, London: Longman.
38	Jorre, J. D. (1972) The Nigeria Civil War, London: Hordder and Stoughton.
39	Kani, A. M. and Gandi, K. (1990) A State and Society in the Sokoto Caliphate, Series I, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
40	Mahdi, A., Kwanashei, G. A and Yakubu M. (eds) (1994) Nigeria: The state of the Nation and the Way Forward, Kaduna: Arewa House.
41	Martin, P. M and Omera, P. (1995) (eds) Africa (Third Edition), Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
42	Mohammed, B. (1982) Africa and Non-alignment: A study in the Foreign Relations of New Nations, Kano: Triumph Publishers.
43	Mohammed A. S. and Adamu, S. (eds) (2005) Nigeria and the Reform of the United Nations, Zaria: Hanwa.
44	Nzula, A. T., Potekhin and Zusmanovich (1979) Forced Labour in Colonial Africa, London: Zed Press.
45	Offiong, D. A. (1980) Imperialism and Dependency: Obstacles to Development, Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers.
46	Ojigbo, O. (1982) Shehu Shagari: The Biography of Nigeria’s First Executive President, Yugoslavia Mlandiska Knjiga.
47	Okafor, I. (1989) History for Senior Secondary Schools, Onitsha, Jet Publishers.
48	Oliver, T. and Afmore, A. (1996) Africa since 1880 (Fourth Edition) New York: Cambridge University Press.
49	Olusanya G. O. (1973) The Second World War and Politics in Nigeria, 1939 – 1953, Ibadan: Evans.
50	Omar O. (1966) The Zulu Aftermath: A Nineteenth-Century Revolution in Bantu Africa, London: Longman.
51	Omolewa, M. (1986) Certificate History of Nigeria, Lagos: Longman.
52	Onoja, I. (1998) Peace-keeping and International Security in a Changing World., Jos: Mono Expressions.
53	Onwubiko, K. (1983) School Certificate History of West Africa, Onitsha: African – First Publishers.
54	Tamuno, T. N. and Atanda A. (eds) (1989) Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years. Vol. III, Ibadan: Heinemann.
55	Tamuno, T. N. and Atanda J. A. M. (eds) (1989) Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years. (Government and Public Policy), Vol. IV, Ibadan: Heinemann.
56	Tamuno, T. N. and Ukpabi, S. C. (eds) (1989) Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years (The Civil War years). Vol. IV, Ibadan: Heinemann.
57	Thompson, L. A. (2000) History of South Africa, Yale: Yale University Press.
58	Usman Y. B. (ed) (1979) Studies in the History of Sokoto Caliphate, New York: Third Press International.
59	Usman Y. B. (ed) (1981) The Transformation of Katsina, 1400 – 1883, Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press.
60	Usman Y. B. (ed) and Alkali M. N. (1983) Studies in the History of Pre-Colonial Borno, Zaria: NNPC.
61	Usman Y. B. and Kwanashei, G. A. (eds) Inside Nigeria History 1950-1970: Events: Issues and Sources (Presidential Panel on Nigeria: Since Independence), University of Ibadan.
62	Usman Y. B. (ed) (1989): Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years: The Society Vol.I, Ibadan: Heinemann.
63	Usman Y. B. (2002) Election Violence in Nigeria: The Terrible Experience, 1952 – 2002, Zaria: Abdullahi Smith Centre for Historical Research.
64	Webster, J. B. and Ikime, O. (eds) Tarikh: Early African Christianity, Vol. 2. No. 1. London: Longman.
65	Wilmot, P. F. (1980): Apartheid and African Liberation: The Grief and the Hope, Ife: University of Ife Press.
66	Yakubu, A. M., Jumare, I and Saeed, A. G. (eds) (2005) Northern Nigeria: A century of Transformation, 1903 – 2003, Kaduna: Arewa House.
67	Yakubu A. M. (2006) Emirs and Politicians: Reform, Reactions and Recrimination in Northern Nigeria, 1950 – 1966, Kaduna: Baraka Publishers.

JAMB Syllabus For History 2026/2027 PDF Download

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How To Study for High Score In Your JAMB History 2026

Here are some straightforward tips you should take into practice if you want to score a high mark in the JAMB History UTME 2026/2027:

• Understand the JAMB History Syllabus
• Obtain and practice with past JAMB History questions.
• Analyze your mistakes to identify areas for improvement.
• Understand the question patterns and marking schemes.
• Dedicate consistent study time to History.
• Test yourself regularly to track your progress.
• Seek Guidance from teachers, tutors, or mentors for clarification.
• Join study groups to discuss topics and share knowledge.
• Utilize online resources and educational platforms for additional learning.

Conclusion

The JAMB Syllabus for History provides a comprehensive framework for your studies. By carefully using the syllabus, practicing consistently, and seeking guidance, you can effectively prepare for the JAMB examination and increase your chances of scoring high.