Jamb Syllabus For Igbo Language 2025 [UPDATED]

The Jamb Syllabus for Igbo Language will help students know or have ideas of where their questions will be coming from and that is why we have decided to bring this for you.

In this post, you will see the complete Syllabus for igbo Language; Let’s get started!!!

JAMB Igbo Language Syllabus

Below is the full Jamb Igbo language Syllabus;

Prose

1. Ofomata, Chinedu. “Iduuazi” (2009). Enugu: Format Publishing LTD.

Poetry

2. Emenanjo, Nolue. “Abu.” Onitsha: Evans Brothers.

Drama

3. Odunke Artists. “Ejije” (1981). Ibadan: U.P.L.

SECTION A: LANGUAGE (ASỤSỤ)

1. Essay Writing (Edemede)

Content:

• Basic Principles: Introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Types of Essays:
  • Narrative (Akọmakọ): Telling a story with a clear sequence of events.
  • Descriptive and Expository (Nkọwa na Nkọwami): Describing or explaining a topic in detail.
  • Argumentative (Mgbagha/Arụmarụka): Presenting arguments for or against a topic.
  • Speech Making (Ekwumekwu): Crafting a speech with an engaging opening, coherent body, and strong conclusion.
  • Letter Writing (Edemleta): Formal and informal letters with appropriate format and tone.
  • Dialogue (Mkparịtaụka): Writing conversational exchanges that sound natural and serve a purpose.

Objectives:

• Identify the basic principles of essay writing.
• Use words and expressions appropriate to a particular topic.
• Differentiate between different types of essays.
• Describe the characteristics of each essay type.
• Compare different types of essays.
• Critique other people’s essays.

2. Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa)

Content:

• One passage of about 150 words.

Objectives:

• Explain the meanings of difficult words.
• Provide correct answers to questions based on the passage.
• Differentiate between figurative and idiomatic expressions in the passage.
• Deduce conclusions based on the passage.

3. Sounds and Sound Patterns (Ụdaasụsụ na Usoro Ụdaasụsụ)

Content:

• Vowels and Consonants (Ụdaume na mgbochiume).
• Sound Patterns/Processes:
  • Syllabic Nasals (Myiri ụdaume): Nasal sounds that function as syllables.
  • Syllable Structure (Nkeji mkpụrụokwu): The organization of sounds within a syllable.
  • Vowel Harmony (Ndakọrịta ụdaume): The agreement of vowels within a word.
  • Vowel Assimilation (Olilo ụdaume): The influence of neighboring vowels on each other.
  • Vowel Elision and Consonant Elision (Ndapụ ụdaume na ndapụ mgbochiume): The omission of vowels and consonants in speech.
  • Tone and Tone Marking (Akara ụdaolu): The use of tone in the Igbo language and how to mark it correctly.

Objectives:

• Identify vowels, consonants, and syllabic nasals.
• Distinguish between the speech sounds of the Igbo language.
• Recognize syllabic nasals ‘m’ & ‘n’.
• Determine the syllabic structure of any word.
• Identify vowel groups in Igbo.
• Describe vowel assimilation and vowel and consonant elision.
• Assign tone marks appropriately.

4. Spelling and Spelling Rules (Nsupe na Iwu Nsupe)

Objectives:

• Detect words written correctly in Igbo.
• Observe consonant restrictions in Igbo.
• Determine appropriate word division in Igbo.
• Apply correct spellings in writing.

5. Igbo Orthography (Mkpụrụedemede Igbo)

Objectives:

• Detect words written correctly in Igbo.
• Apply correct spellings in writing.

6. Dialect and Standard Igbo (Olundị/Olumba na Igbo Izugbe)

Objectives:

• Differentiate between standard Igbo and dialects.
• Use standard Igbo in their writings.

7. Vocabulary (Mkpụrụokwu dị n’asụsụ)

Content:

• Expansion through word derivation processes, coinages, loans, and loan blends.

Objectives:

• Differentiate between loan and coined words.
• Identify loan words and loan blends in Igbo.
• Use words appropriately.

8. Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ)

Content:

• Parts of Speech (Nkejiasụsụ): Nominals (Mkpọaha), verbs (ngwaa), adjectives (nkọwa), adverbs (nkwuwa), affixes (mgbakwunye), enclitics (nsokwunya), etc.
• Morpheme Structure, Types, and Functions:
  • Free & Bound (Nnọọrọonwe na ndabe).
  • The Word (Mkpụrụokwu): Basic units of meaning.
  • The Phrase (Nkebiokwu): Groups of words that act as a unit.
  • The Clause (Nkebiahịrị): Groups of words with a subject and predicate.
  • The Sentence (Ahịrịokwu): Complete thoughts expressed in words.
    • Simple (Mfe): Basic structure with one clause.
    • Compound (Ukwu): Two or more independent clauses.
    • Complex (Mgbagwọ): One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Objectives:

• Differentiate between grammatical categories.
• Identify parts of speech and their functions.
• Differentiate between types of affixes and their functions.
• Determine types of morphemes and their functions.
• Identify words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and their functions.

9. Translation (Ntụgharị)

Objectives:

• Translate English into Igbo and vice versa.
• Communicate effectively in Igbo and English.

SECTION B: LITERATURE (AGỤMAGỤ)

1. Literary Devices (Atụmatụokwu na atụmatụ agụmagụ)

Content:

• Alliteration, Assonance, Parallelism, Metaphor, Simile, Hyperbole, Personification, Proverbs.

Objectives:

• Identify all literary devices in the passages.
• Interpret literary devices.
• Differentiate between types of literary devices.
• Use Igbo literary devices appropriately.

2. Oral Literature (Agụmagụ Ọnụ/Agụmagụ Ọdịnala)

Content:

• Folktales (Ifo), Anecdotes (Ụkabụilu), Myths (Nkọmịrịkọ), Legends (Nkọkịrịkọ), Poems (Abụ), Songs (Uri), Chants (Mbem), Riddles (Agwụgwa), Oral Drama (Ejije ọnụ), Tongue-Twister (Okwuntụhị), etc.

Objectives:

• Create folk stories, anecdotes, chants, riddles, oral drama, etc.
• Analyze various genres of oral literature.
• Present ideas/formulae in accordance with underlying principles.
• Apply the lessons of oral literature to their everyday life.

3. Written Literature (Agụmagụ Ederede)

Prose (iduuazị):

• Ude Ọdịlọra (1981) “Ọkpa Akụ Eri Eri.” Onitsha: University Press. (NECO/WAEC) (2016-2020).

Objectives:

• Interpret the text.
• Isolate the characters in the book.
• Compare figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text.
• Analyze the text.
• Identify the author, publisher, and date of the book.
• Draw moral lessons from the text.

Poetry (Abụ):

• Ikeokwu E.S & Onyejekwe M.C. (2009) “Uche Bụ Ahịa.” Enugu: Format Publishers Nig. LTD. (WAEC/NECO 2016-2020).

Objectives:

• Compare the types and themes of the poems.
• Relate the poets’ idea to the contents of the poems.
• Compare figurative and idiomatic expressions in the texts/poems.
• Analyze the structures of the poems.
• Apply acquired knowledge and moral lessons from the poems to their daily lives.

Selected Poems:

1. Ụwa Ndọlị Ndọlị – 1
2. Ọchịchị – 14
3. Ọnwụ 1 – 16
4. Chi-Ukwu – 20
5. Ire 1 – 22
6. Ozi Ọma – 28
7. Mmụta – 30
8. Ezi Nwaanyị – 36
9. Anyanwụ – 40
10. Akụ – 44
11. Akaraka – 49
12. Ọnwa – 69
13. Akwụkwọ – 71
14. Nwanne – 89

Drama (Ejije):

• Nwaozuzu G.I. (2005). “Nke M Ji ka.” Enugu: CIDJAP Press. (WAEC/NECO 2016-2020).

Objectives:

• Identify types of drama.
• Determine the themes of the text.
• Identify the storylines.
• Find out the characters in the stories.
• Appreciate the language of the play.
• Appraise the social problems raised by the author in the play.
• Apply acquired knowledge to their personal lives.

SECTION C: CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS (Omenala na Ewumewu)

Topics:

Greetings, Marriage, Childbirth, Titles, Funeral Rites, Family Structures, Taboos, Traditional Leadership, Hospitality, Divination, Sacrifice, Wealth, Spiritual Practices, Games, Occupations.

Objectives:

• Describe some Igbo customs.
• Determine rules and regulations guiding some of the customs.
• Appreciate the importance of Igbo customs and institutions.
• Identify areas where civilization has affected Igbo customs and institutions.

SECTION D: GENERAL AND CURRENT AFFAIRS (Ihe Ndị na-eme Ugbua)

Topics:

Igbo language, literature, culture, Ahịajiọkụ and Odenigbo lectures, Ọhanaeze Ndị Igbo, Igbo Studies Association, Current Issues (e.g., HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse, Cultism, Women and Children Rights, Human Rights Violation, Religious Conflicts).

Objectives:

• Identify the dates and themes of Ahịajiọkụ and Odenigbo lectures.
• Identify the authors of the lectures.
• Identify publishing companies and the dates of publication of lecture materials.
• Analyze the functions of Ọhanaeze Ndị Igbo and the Igbo Studies Association.
• Examine various current issues like HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse, Cultism, and their effects.
• Suggest remedies to the identified problems in Igbo land.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

1. Emenanjo, E. N., et al. (1995) “Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Sukul I.”
2. Emenanjo, E. N., et al. (1999) “Exam Focus maka WASSCE na UME.” Ibadan: University Press Plc.
3. Ezikeojiaku, P. A., et al. (1991) “Ule Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị.” Ibadan: University Press Plc.
4. Ikekeonwu, C., et al. (1999) “Fonọlọji na Grama Igbo.” Ibadan: University Press Plc.
5. Nzeakọ, J. U. T. (1972) “Omenala Ndị Igbo.” Ibadan: Longman.
6. Okoye, O. F. S., et al. (1997) “Ọgbara Ọhụrụ Ụtọasụsụ Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị.” Onitsha: Houston Publishers Ltd.
7. Osuagwu, B. I. N. (1979) “Ndị Igbo na Omenala Ha.” Nigeria: Macmillan.
8. Ubesie, T. U. (1978) “Ọdịnala Ndị Igbo.” Ibadan: Oxford University Press.
9. Umeh, I. O. A., et al. (1992) “Ụtọasụsụ na Agụmagụ Igbo nke Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Sukul.” Ibadan: Evans.
10. Ụba – Mgbemena, A. (2006) “Ntọala Usoroasụsụ Igbo.” Ibadan: Gold Press Ltd.
11. Anọzie, C. C. (2003), “Igbo Kwenu: Akụkọ na Omenala ndị Igbo.” Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
12. Ọfọmata, C. E. (2005) “Ndezu Ụtọasụsụ Igbo.” Enugu: Format Publishers (Nig) Ltd.
13. Ofili, D. N., et al. (2012) “Lingwistiiki Sayensị Asụsụ II.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jamb Syllabus Really Help?

Yes, the syllabus are there to help you become better and study better, so yes there help

Is Yoruba or Igbo harder?

The two languages are not easy to learn

Conclusion

The JAMB Igbo syllabus covers essay writing, comprehension, sounds, orthography, grammar, literature, customs, and current affairs. Following this guide and using recommended texts will help students excel in their exams, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Igbo language and culture.