Subject overview
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Igbo is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
Official syllabus Content is taken from the official JAMB UTME syllabus (IBASS). Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm at jamb.gov.ng.
Your progress
Mark topics as you go to track your readiness.
Study the syllabus below, then test yourself. Move each topic from Not started → Learning → Practising → Mastered.
General objectives
The Igbo syllabus is designed to test candidates' ability to:
- 1) Communicate and read effectively in Igbo;
- 2) Analyse issues in the language;
- 3) Interpret and explain figurative and idiomatic expressions in Igbo and
- 4) Apply Igbo literature to their daily life experiences and to demonstrate Igbo cultural values.
How this paper is examined
JAMB Igbo is a Computer-Based Test of 40 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question. It is taken with Use of English and two other subjects, for 180 questions in two hours overall.
How to use this syllabus: don't just read it — turn each topic into a checklist. Study a topic, then immediately practise questions on it so the knowledge sticks. Give extra time to the sections that carry the most topics, and revisit weak areas with timed practice as the exam approaches.
Topics & recommended order
Work through these topics in order. Mark each one as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
1. Essay (Edemede)
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
2. Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa)
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
3. Sounds and Sound Patterns
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
4. Spelling and spelling rules
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
5. Igbo Orthography
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
6. Dialect and Standard Igbo
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
7. Igbo Word Derivation (Usoro
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
8. Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ)
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
9. Translation (Ntụgharị)
Not startedLANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ) · Study
10. (AGỤMAGỤ)
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
11. Literary devices (Atụmatụokwu)
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
12. Oral Literature: Agụmagụ Ọnụ/
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
13. Written Literature (Agụmagụ
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
14. Ọchịchị 18 - 19
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
15. Onye Ndu 22 - 23
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
16. Nne Ọma 29 - 30
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
17. Oke Ọchịchọ 40 - 41
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
18. Asịla M Na Ọ Dị Mma 53 - 54
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
19. Ihe Ụwa 60 - 61
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
20. Jiri Nwayọ 62 - 63
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
21. Eziokwu 65 - 66
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
22. Mma 67 - 69
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
23. Nwanyị 92 - 94
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
24. Aja Ala 101 - 103
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
25. Ala Igbo 108 - 111
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
26. Ndụ M N’ụwa A 131 - 132
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
27. Ọjị 150 - 151
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
28. Ụwa Emebighi 151 – 154
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
29. Amamihe 168 – 169
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
30. Ndụ Nwaanyị 178 – 180
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
31. Nna M Ọgọenyi 181 – 184
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
32. Ụlọakwụkwọ 192 - 193
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
33. Akwa Nnabuenyi Ugonna
Not startedLITERATURE · Study
34. (Omenala na Ewumewu)
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
35. Ekele dị iche ice
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
36. Alụmdi na nwunye, ịgba alụkwaghịm.
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
37. Ọmụmụ na ile ọmụgwọ, ikupụta nwa,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
38. Echichi: Nze na Ọzọ, Eze/Obi/Igwe,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
39. Ike ekpe, iri ekpe, ịkwa ozu, ịgba
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
40. Ụmụnna, ụmụọkpụ/ụmụada, iyomdi,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
41. Ọgbọ/ebiri/uke, ọhanaeze, ezinaụlọ
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
42. Arụ na nsọala: Ihe nsọ, anụ nsọ, osisi
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
43. Ọchịchị Ọdịnala: Igwe/Eze, Nze na
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
44. Nnabata ọbịa, ọji na ịtu nzu, itu aha,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
45. Ihe ofufe: Ịgba afa, ịchụ aja, ịgọ
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
46. Ngwa ofufe: Ọfọ, ikenga,okpesi.
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
47. Nkwenye: ịdụ isi/ịṅụ iyi, ịgba ndụ,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
48. Akụnaụba: inwe ala, ike ala, iri ekpe,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
49. Abamaba: Mmọnwụ, ọkọnkọ, ekpe,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
50. Egwuregwu: mgba, egwu ọnwa, ikpọ
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
51. Akaọrụ ndị Igbo: Ọrụ ugbo, ịkụ azụ,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
52. Emume: Ọfala, ịbọ ụzọ, ịwa ji/iri ji,
Not startedCUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS · Study
53. Affairs (Ihe Ndị na-eme Ugbua)
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
54. Topical issues in the Igbo language,
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
55. Authors, Publishers, dates and places
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
56. Igbo Studies Association (ISA)
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
57. HIV/AIDS, Cancer and Corona
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
58. Drug Abuse (Ịṅu Ọgwụ
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
59. Cultism (Otu Nzuzo)
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
60. Rights of Women and Children
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
61. Human Rights Violation and Child
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
62. Religious Conflicts (Nsogbu
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
63. Kidnapping (Ntọrọ Mmadụ)
Not startedGeneral and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
General and Current · Study
Full Igbo syllabus
Every section and topic below is from the official JAMB syllabus, reproduced faithfully.
SECTION A: LANGUAGES (ASỤSỤ)
1. Essay (Edemede)
- (a) Basic principles of essay writing:
- introduction, body and conclusion
- (b) Basic essay types and their characteristics
- (i) Narrative (Akọmakọ)
- (ii) Descriptive and
- Expository (Nkọwa na Nkọwami)
- (iii) Argumentative (Mgbagha/Arụmarụụka)
- (iv) Speech making (Ekwumekwu)
- (v) Letter Writing (Edemleta)
- (vi) Dialogue (Mkparịtaụka)
2. Comprehension (Aghọtaazaa)
- One passage of about one hundred and fifty (150) words.
3. Sounds and Sound Patterns
- (Ụdaasụsụ na Usoro Ụdaasụsụ)
- (a) Vowels and Consonants (Ụdaume na mgbochiume)
- (b) Sound Patterns/Processes
- i. Syllabic nasals (ụdaimi)
- ii. Semi-vowel (Myiriụdaume)
- iii. Nasal homoganicity (ndagba myiriụdaume)
- iv. Syllable structure (nkeji mkpụrụokwu)
- v. Vowel harmony (ndakọrịta ụdaume);
- vi. Vowel assimilation (olilo ụdaume);
- vii. Vowel elision and consonant elision (ndapụ ụdaume na ndapụ mgbochiume)
- (c) Tone and tone marking (Ụdaolu na Akara ụdaolu)
4. Spelling and spelling rules
- (Nsupe na Iwu Nsupe)
5. Igbo Orthography
- (Mkpụrụedemede Igbo)
6. Dialect and Standard Igbo
- (Olundị/Olumba na Igbo Izugbe)
- (iv) deduce conclusion(s) based on the passage.
7. Igbo Word Derivation (Usoro
- Mmụbaokwu n’Igbo)
- Processes of word derivation processes: coinages, loans and loans- blends (Mmụbawanye mkpụrụokwu site n’usoro mmepụta, mkpụpụta, mbite na mbiọgwa).
8. Grammar (Ụtọasụsụ)
- (a) Parts of speech (Nkejiasụsụ):
- Nominals (Mkpọaha), verbs (ngwaa), adjectives (nkọwa), adverbs (nkwuwa), affixes (mgbakwunye), enclitics (nsokwunye),
- dgz.
- (b) The structure, types and characteristics of morpheme (Ndokọ, ụdị na njirimara mọfịm)
- Free & bound (nnọọrọonwe na ndabe)
- (i) the word (mkpụrụokwu)
- (ii) the phrase (nkebiokwu)
- (iii) the clause (nkebiahịrị) nominal, adverbial and adjectival clause (kemkpọaha, kenkwuwa na kenkọwa)
- (iv) the sentence (ahịrịokwu) simple (mfe), compound
- (ukwu), complex (mgbagwọ,
- dgz)
9. Translation (Ntụgharị)
SECTION B: LITERATURE
(AGỤMAGỤ)
1. Literary devices (Atụmatụokwu)
- dịka alliteration (bịambia mgbochiume), assonance (bịambịa ụdaume), parallelism (kwunkwugha),
2. Oral Literature: Agụmagụ Ọnụ/
- Agụmagụ Ọdịnala:
- Folktales (ifo), myths (nkọmịrịkọ), legends (nkọkịrịkọ), poems (abụ), songs (uri), chants (mbem), riddles (agwụgwa), oral drama (ejije ọnụ), tongue-twister (okwuntụhị) dgz.
3. Written Literature (Agụmagụ
- Ederede)
- (a) Prose (iduuazị)
- Tony U. Ubesie (1993).
- Jụọ Obinna. Oxford
- University Press.
- (b) Poetry (Abụ)
- Inno Ụzọma Nwadike
- (2014). Akọnuche.
- Obosi: Pacific Publishers
- Ltd.
- ABỤ NDỊ A HỌPỤTARA (Selected Poems)
1. Ọchịchị 18 - 19
2. Onye Ndu 22 - 23
3. Nne Ọma 29 - 30
4. Oke Ọchịchọ 40 - 41
5. Asịla M Na Ọ Dị Mma 53 - 54
6. Ihe Ụwa 60 - 61
7. Jiri Nwayọ 62 - 63
8. Eziokwu 65 - 66
9. Mma 67 - 69
10. Nwanyị 92 - 94
11. Aja Ala 101 - 103
12. Ala Igbo 108 - 111
13. Ndụ M N’ụwa A 131 - 132
- (iii) differentiate between types of literary devices;
- (iv) use
- Igbo literary devices appropriately
14. Ọjị 150 - 151
15. Ụwa Emebighi 151 – 154
16. Amamihe 168 – 169
17. Ndụ Nwaanyị 178 – 180
18. Nna M Ọgọenyi 181 – 184
19. Ụlọakwụkwọ 192 - 193
20. Akwa Nnabuenyi Ugonna
- Bere 249 – 252
- (c) DRAMA (EJIJE)
- J. C. Maduekwe (1979). Otu Mkpịsị
- Aka. Longman Nigeria (Learn Africa)
SECTION C: CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS
(Omenala na Ewumewu)
- Igbo customs and institutions as categorized below:
1. Ekele dị iche ice:
- ekele ụtụtụ, ehihie, anyasị, nri, onye nọ n’ọrịa, nlakpu, ọrụ dg.
2. Alụmdi na nwunye, ịgba alụkwaghịm.
3. Ọmụmụ na ile ọmụgwọ, ikupụta nwa,
- ibi ugwu, ịgụ aha, ịzụ ahịa nwa, ịhụ
- eze.
4. Echichi: Nze na Ọzọ, Eze/Obi/Igwe,
- Iyọm/Lọọlọ
5. Ike ekpe, iri ekpe, ịkwa ozu, ịgba
- mkpe.
6. Ụmụnna, ụmụọkpụ/ụmụada, iyomdi,
- nwadiala.
7. Ọgbọ/ebiri/uke, ọhanaeze, ezinaụlọ
8. Arụ na nsọala: Ihe nsọ, anụ nsọ, osisi
- nsọ, ebe nsọ.
9. Ọchịchị Ọdịnala: Igwe/Eze, Nze na
- Ọzọ, ụmụnna, ezinaụlọ, ụmụọkpụ/ ụmụada, otu ọgbọ.
10. Nnabata ọbịa, ọji na ịtu nzu, itu aha,
- ịkwọ aka ụtụtụ, ịgọ ọfọ.
11. Ihe ofufe: Ịgba afa, ịchụ aja, ịgọ
- mmụọ, ofufe.
12. Ngwa ofufe: Ọfọ, ikenga,okpesi.
13. Nkwenye: ịdụ isi/ịṅụ iyi, ịgba ndụ,
- orikọ, ịlọ ụwa, ọgbanje, nrọ, ihi anụ, ịha/ịchụ mmiri, dg.
14. Akụnaụba: inwe ala, ike ala, iri ekpe,
- elulu (ịkpa ọkụkọ, ewu, dg).
15. Abamaba: Mmọnwụ, ọkọnkọ, ekpe,
- ọmabe, odo, dibịa, dg.
16. Egwuregwu: mgba, egwu ọnwa, ikpọ
- ọga, ịzụ ǹchọ, ịzụ okwe, ịgba/ịchọ oro,
- dg.
17. Akaọrụ ndị Igbo: Ọrụ ugbo, ịkụ azụ,
- ịkpụ ụzụ, ịzụ ahịa, ịtụ ihe ọtụtụ, ịchụ nta, ime dibịa, ịkpụ ite, dg.
- Igbo
18. Emume: Ọfala, ịbọ ụzọ, ịwa ji/iri ji,
- igbu ewu ukwu,iru mgbede,ịwa akwa, akwamozu, ịgụ afọ, dg.
SECTION D: General and Current
Affairs (Ihe Ndị na-eme Ugbua)
1. Topical issues in the Igbo language,
- literature and culture e.g., Ahịajiọkụ,
- Odenigbo lectures and Ọhaneze Ndị
- Igbo.
2. Authors, Publishers, dates and places
- of publication of works in Igbo.
3. Igbo Studies Association (ISA)
- CURRENT ISSUES (Okwuakpụnọnụ)
- Note:
- Item writers should also choose their topics for comprehension exercises from such current issues as the following:
1. HIV/AIDS, Cancer and Corona
- Virus (Ọrịa Mmịnwụ/Obirinaajaọcha,
- Awa eto na Ọrịa koro
2. Drug Abuse (Ịṅu Ọgwụ
- Agharaaghara)
3. Cultism (Otu Nzuzo)
4. Rights of Women and Children
- (Oruuru Ụmụnwaanyị na Ụmụaka)
5. Human Rights Violation and Child
- Abuse (Ịnapụ Mmadụ Ikike na
- Mmetọ Nwata)
6. Religious Conflicts (Nsogbu
- Ndọkụrịta Ekpemekpe Ụka)
7. Kidnapping (Ntọrọ Mmadụ)
- Igbo
- RECOMMENDED TEXTS
1. Agụ-Ọfọdile, M.C. (2007). Nkụzi Asụsụ Igbo N’ụzọ Dị Mfe Maka Ndị Sinịọ Sekọndịrị Nke
- Atọ. Ibadan: Austin Modest Publishers.
2. Ụba – Mgbemena, A. (2006): Ntọala Usoroasụsụ Igbo. Ibadan:
- Gold Press Ltd.
3. Ofili, D. N., Anozie C. C. and Chukwu, A. O. (2012): Lingwistiiki Sayensị Asụsụ II. Enugu:
- Computer Edge Publishers.
4. Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Okebalama, C. N., Onweluzo, C. N. and Ekwe B. U. (1991). Ule Igbo Maka
- Sinịọ Sekọndịrị. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
5. Anọzie, C. C. (2003). Igbo Kwenu: Akụkọ na Omenala ndị Igbo
- Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.
6. Ikekeonwu, C., Ezikeojiaku, P. A., Ubani, A. and Ugoji, J. (1999).
- Fonọlọji na Grama Igbo. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
7. Emenanjọ, E. N., Dike, O. N., Agomo S. N. and Ezeuko, R. O. (1999). Exam Focus
- Maka WASSCE Na UTME. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
8. Ọfọmata, C. E. (2005): Ndezu Ụtọasụsụ Igbo. Enugu: Format Publishers (Nig.) Ltd.
9. Nzeakọ, J. U. T. (1972). Omenala Ndị Igbo. Ibadan: Longman (Nig.) Ltd.
10. Okoye, O. F. S., Ofoegbu, N. F. and Ezidiegwu, B. L. (1997)
- Ọgbara Ọhụrụ Elidingtọasụsụ Igbo maka Sinịọ Sekọndịrị. Onitsha:
- Houston Publishers Ltd.
11. Osuagwu, B. I. N. (1979). Ndị Igbo na Omenala Ha. Nigeria: Macmillan.
12. Ubesie, T. U. (1978). Ọdịnala Ndị Igbo. Ibadan: Oxford University Press.
13. 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.
Recommended next steps
All subjects · Subject combination checker · JAMB information · CBT practice
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does JAMB set in Igbo?
JAMB sets 40 multiple-choice questions in Igbo, each carrying equal marks for a total of 100 marks. Only Use of English has more (60 questions); every other subject follows this 40-question pattern, and your four subjects together make 180 questions and 400 marks.
How long is the exam and how much time per question?
The whole UTME lasts two hours (120 minutes) for all four subjects combined — about 40 seconds per question on average. Pace yourself: answer the questions you know quickly, flag the hard ones, and come back to them.
Is Igbo compulsory in JAMB?
Use of English is the only universally compulsory subject. Igbo is required for Igbo and accepted for Nigerian-languages, education and arts courses.
How is the JAMB Igbo syllabus structured?
The Igbo syllabus covers the Igbo language (grammar and usage), Igbo literature (oral and written) and Igbo culture.
What should I focus on most in Igbo?
Language/grammar, literature and culture are core. Read Igbo texts and know the prescribed literary works.
Does JAMB repeat past questions in Igbo?
JAMB does not announce a policy of repeating questions, but the syllabus changes little from year to year, so the same topics and question styles recur. Studying strictly by the syllabus and practising many questions per topic is the dependable approach — never rely on 'expo', which is a scam.
Is there negative marking in JAMB Igbo?
No. JAMB does not use negative marking, so a wrong answer scores zero with no penalty. Always attempt every question, even if you have to make an educated guess.
What textbooks are recommended for JAMB Igbo?
Use a standard SSS Igbo textbook covering language, literature and culture.
Where can I find the official Igbo syllabus?
The official source is the JAMB e-syllabus on the IBASS portal (jamb.gov.ng). The full topics are reproduced on this page for easy study, but always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal before your exam.
How can I prepare for Igbo on Belmadeng?
Study the full syllabus on this page, turn each topic into a checklist, and track your progress from Not started to Mastered. Belmadeng is adding more practice questions across subjects — explore CBT practice and the Study Centre as they grow.
Source: official JAMB UTME Igbo syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is not affiliated with JAMB — always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.