JAMB Literature Texts for Literature, Arabic, Hausa, Igbo & Yoruba

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has changed the Literature texts in four (4) language subjects and Literature-in-English. The four language subjects are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Arabic.

These changes would take effect from the 2026-2030 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Recommended Links:

• JAMB Syllabus
• JAMB Brochure
• Free JAMB Past Questions Available Here
• JAMB UTME Registration – Instructions & Guidelines
• Textbooks Recommended for JAMB UTME: All Subjects
• Compulsory Novel to Read for JAMB UTME General Paper
• JAMB Subjects Combination for Science Students
• JAMB Subjects Combination for Arts, Commercial, Social Sciences Students

JAMB Literature Texts for Arabic

• أحمد الإسكندري والآخرون، المفصل في تاريخ الأدب العربي، القاهرة، المعارف العمومية.
• زكريا حسين (2004م)، المادة الأدبية للطلاب العربية في أفريقيا، أونتري، دار النور.
• عبد الله بن محمد بن فودي، تزيين الورقات، إبادن، مطبعة جامعة إبادن.
• عبد الوهاب دنلاد شنت (2009م)، الشعر العربي النيجيري بين الماضي والحاضر، ولاية نجر- نيجيريا، مطبعة بيك المحدودة.
• عيسى أبي بكر (الدكتور)، ديوان الرياض، مدينة إيو- نيجيريا، النهار.
• مرتضى إمامي (1997م)، مستقبل اللغة العربية في نيجيريا، لاغوس، دار النشر الإسلامية.
• صديق فاروق أبو الرضا، مختارات من توجيهات المنبر للشيخ آدم عبد الله الإلوري، القاهرة، مطبعة المعرفة.
• محمد ثالت مي أغو (2006م)، لماذا يكرهوننا 2ط، كنو، مطبعة سماش.

English translation

• Ahmad Al-Iskandari and others, Al-Mufassal fi Tarikh Al-Adab Al-Arabi (The Detailed History of Arabic Literature), Cairo, General Knowledge Press.
• Zakariya Hussein (2004), Literary Materials for Arabic Students in Africa, Onitsha, Dar Al-Nur Press.
• Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Fodi, Tazyeen Al-Waraqat (Adornment of Pages), Ibadan, University of Ibadan Press.
• Abdul-Wahab Danladi Shent (2009), Nigerian Arabic Poetry Between the Past and the Present, Niger State, Nigeria, Peak Press Limited.
• Dr. Isa Abi Bakr, Diwan Al-Riyadh (The Riyadh Anthology), Iwo City, Nigeria, Al-Nahar Press.
• Murtada Imami (1997), The Future of the Arabic Language in Nigeria, Lagos, Islamic Publishing House.
• Sadiq Faruq Abu Al-Rida, Selections from the Pulpit Guidance of Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, Cairo, Al-Ma'rifa Press.
• Muhammad Thalith Mai Agu (2006), Why Do They Hate Us? (2nd Edition), Kano, Smash Press.

SEE ALSO: JAMB Syllabus for Arabic

JAMB Literature Texts for Hausa

A. Written Literature

Zaɓaɓɓun Littattafai (Prescribed Texts)

Prose

• Title: Maraya
  • Author: Mahe, I. A.
  • Publisher: Extension Publishers Limited, Ibadan, 2021.

Drama

• Title: Malam Zalimu
  • Author: Gidan Dabino, A. H.
  • Publisher: Gidan Dabino Publishers, Kano, 2013.

Poetry

• Title: Wakokin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Daya
  • Author: Anwar, A.
  • Publisher: ABU Press, Zaria, 2024.

B. Oral Literature

Prose

• Title: Mu Sha Dariya
  • Author: Tofa, B. O.
  • Publisher: NNPC, Zaria, 2018.

Drama

• Title: Wasannin Tashe
  • Author: Umar, M. B.
  • Publisher: NNPC, Zaria, 2009.

Poetry

• Title: Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka
  • Author: Gusau, S. M.
  • Publisher: Benchmark Publishers Ltd, 2003.

C. Language

• Title: Sound System and Grammar
  • Author: Sani, M. A. Z.
  • Publisher: U.P. Plc, Ibadan, 2000.

D. Culture

1. Title: Rayuwar Hausa
   • Author: CSNL/BUK
   • Publisher: Nelson, Lagos, 1980.
2. Title: Hausa Customs
   • Author: Madauci, I.
   • Publisher: NNPC, 1985.

E. General Reference Books

1. Title: Exams Focus Hausa Language
   • Author: Sani, M. A. Z.
   • Publisher: U.P. Plc, Ibadan, 2000.
2. Title: Darussan Hausa 1–3
   • Author: Yahaya, I. Y. et al.
   • Publisher: U.P. Plc, Ibadan, 1992.
3. Title: Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa
   • Author: Junju, M. H.
   • Publisher: NNPC, Zaria, 2010.
4. Title: An Introduction to Hausa Grammar
   • Author: M. K. M. Galadanci
   • Publisher: Longman Nigeria, 1984.
5. Title: Jagoran Nazarin Kagaggun Labarai
   • Author: Mukhtar, I.
   • Publisher: A. J. Publishers, Kano, 2002.
6. Title: Rabe-Raben Adabi Da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausa
   • Author: Dangambo, A.
   • Publisher: Triump Publishing Company, Kano, 1984.
7. Title: Harshe Da Adabin Hausa A Kammale
   • Author: Ismaila, J. and Tanimu, M. Y.
   • Publisher: Spectrum Books, Ibadan, 2007.
8. Title: Labaru Na Da Da Na Yanzu
   • Author: —
   • Publisher: NNPC, 1985.
9. Title: Zaman Mutum Da Sana'arsa
   • Author: E. M. Rimmer et al.
   • Publisher: NNPC, Zaria, Reprinted 2002.
10. Title: Zaman Hausawa
    • Author: Alhassan, H. et al.
    • Publisher: Islamic Publication Bureau, Lagos, Reprinted 1988.
11. Title: Waƙa A. Bakin Mai Ita
    • Author: CSNL, BUK, Kano
    • Publisher: NNPC, Zaria, 2006.

SEE ALSO: JAMB Syllabus for Hausa

JAMB Literature Texts for Igbo

1. Literary Devices (Atụmatụokwu)

• Dika — alliteration (bịambịa mgbọchiume)
• Assonance (bịambịa ụdaume)
• Parallelism (kwunkwugha)
• Metaphor (mbụrụ)
• Simile (myiri)
• Hyperbole (egbeokwu)
• Personification (mmemmadụ)
• Proverbs (ilu)
• Dgz.

2. Oral Literature: Agụmagụ Ọnụ / Agụmagụ Ọdịnala

• Folktales (ifo)
• Myths (nkomiriko)
• Legends (nkọrikọ)
• Poems (abụ)
• Songs (uri)
• Chants (mbem)
• Riddles (agwụgwa)
• Oral drama (ejije ọnụ)
• Tongue-twister (okwuntụhi)
• Dgz.

3. Written Literature (Agụmagụ Ederede)

(a) Prose (Iduuazi)

• Tony U. Ubesie (1993). Jụo Obinna.
  Oxford University Press.

(b) Poetry (Abụ)

• Inno Uzọma Nwadike (2014). Akọnuche.
  Obosi: Pacific Publishers Ltd.

4. Abụ Ndị A Họpụtara (Selected Poems)

1. Ọchịchị — 18–19
2. Onye Ndu — 22–23
3. Nne Ọma — 29–30
4. Oke Ọchịọ — 40–41
5. Asịla M Na O Dị Mma — 53–54
6. Ihe Uwa — 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
14. Ọjị — 150–151
15. Ụwa Emebighi — 151–154
16. Amamihe — 168–169
17. Ndụ Nwaanyị — 178–180
18. Nna M Ọgẹnị — 181–184
19. Ụlọakwụkwọ — 192–193
20. Akwa Nnabuẹnyi Ugonna Bere — 249–252

SEE ALSO: JAMB Syllabus for Igbo

JAMB Literature Texts for Literature in English

Drama

African

• Efua Sutherland: Marriage of Anansewa

Non-African

• William Shakespeare: Anthony and Cleopatra

Prose

African

• Pede Hollist: So the Path Does Not Die
• Elma Shaw: Redemption Road

Non-African

• Susanne Bellefeuille: Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured

Poetry

African

• Gabriel Okara: Once Upon a Time
• Elizabeth L.A. Kamara: New Tongue
• Wole Soyinka: Night
• Niyi Osundare: Not My Business
• S.O.H. Afriyie-Vidza: Hearty Garlands
• Syl Cheney-Coker: The Breast of the Sea

Non-African

• Lord Byron: She Walks in Beauty
• Geoffrey Chaucer: The Nun's Priest Tale (shortened)
• Fleur Adcock: The Telephone Call
• Wilfred Wilson Gipson: The Stone

SEE ALSO: JAMB Syllabus for Literature in English

JAMB Literature Texts for Yoruba

(a) Oral Literature

(i) Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ)

• Babalọlá, A. (2023). Àkójọpọ̀ Aló Ìjápá (Apá Keji).
  Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc.

(ii) Drama (Eré Oníṣe)

• Ògúnníran, L. (2022). Eégún Aláré.
  Ìbàdàn: Golden Pen Publishers.

(b) Written Literature

(i) Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ)

• Ìṣọlá, A. (2023). Ogún Ọmọdé.
  Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc.

(ii) Poetry (Ewì)

• Àdẹwọlé, O. (2023). Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfọ́ Miíràn.
  Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc.
  • pp. 1–50 (2026)
  • pp. 51–83 (2027)
  • pp. 84–116 (2028)
  • pp. 117–152 (2029)
  • pp. 153–216 (2030)

(iii) Drama (Eré Onítàn)

• Fádìyà, O. (2023). Ọ̀tẹ̀ Oyè.
  Ìbàdàn: Genius Books Publishers.

SEE ALSO: JAMB Syllabus for Yoruba

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