Last updated: October, 2026
Writing Art in the 2027 UTME? The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) syllabus tells you exactly what the examiners can ask, so you can focus on what counts instead of reading everything.
This page lists every topic in the official JAMB Art syllabus, the skills you are expected to show on each one, and the textbooks JAMB recommends. You will also find a six-week study plan, sample questions and answers to frequently asked questions.
Note that JAMB lists this subject simply as “Art”. Many candidates and schools also call it Fine Art or Visual Art.
Quick Facts
- Exam: Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), computer-based
- Subject: Art
- Syllabus sections: 4 (the official document labels them A to D)
- Total topics: 13 main topics across the four sections
- Biggest section: Section B, covering the history of art, traditional African and Nigerian art, Nigerian crafts, and contemporary Nigerian art and artists (5 topics)
- Source: Official JAMB syllabus
In This Guide
- Aim and objectives of the syllabus
- The four sections at a glance
- Detailed syllabus (topics and what you should be able to do)
- Recommended textbooks
- Six-week study plan
- Sample questions
- Subject combinations
- FAQs
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the UTME Art syllabus is to prepare candidates for the Board’s examination and test how well they have achieved the course objectives. Candidates are expected to:
- Exhibit knowledge of the fundamental elements, principles and terminologies of art.
- Show knowledge of the historical dimensions of art, with emphasis on Nigerian arts and crafts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of artistic techniques, processes, the use of materials and the maintenance of tools and equipment.
- Display aesthetic awareness of the environment, and of the meaning and functions of art in society.
The Four Sections at a Glance
JAMB labels the sections A to D without titles. The names below describe what each section covers.
- Section A: Fundamentals of Art (3 topics): classification of art, elements and principles of design, and art terms
- Section B: History of Art and Nigerian Art (5 topics): historical dimensions, traditional African art, traditional Nigerian art, Nigerian crafts, and contemporary Nigerian art and artists
- Section C: Skills, Techniques, Tools and Materials (2 topics): artistic skills and processes, and tools, materials and equipment
- Section D: Appreciation, Functions and Careers (3 topics): art appreciation, meaning and functions of art in society, and art entrepreneurship
Detailed Syllabus
Section A: Fundamentals of Art
- Classification of Art
- Visual arts (fine and applied arts), performing arts (music, dance and drama), and literary arts (poetry, prose, recital)
- Elements and Principles of Design
- Elements: line, colour, shape, form, texture, tone, value, space
- Principles: balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, contrast, repetition, dominance, variety
- Art Terms
- Pigments, motif, greenware, armature, silhouette, chiaroscuro, cire-perdue, terracotta and similar terms
You should be able to, across Section A:
- Differentiate between the three branches of art.
- Identify the elements of design and analyse the principles of design with the aid of illustrations.
- Identify art terms, link them to their areas of art, and use them to analyse artworks.
Section B: History of Art and Nigerian Art
- Historical Dimensions of Art
- Prehistoric, Greek and Roman art; medieval art (architecture, surface decorations and calligraphy)
- Renaissance art and artists: Giotto di Bondone, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael (Raffaello Santi)
- 19th and 20th century art movements: Impressionism, Realism, Futurism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism and Fauvism
- Traditional African Art
- Egypt, Ashanti, Dogon, Mossi, Fon, Senufo, Bambara, Mende, Kissi, Bamileke and Bakumba
- Traditional Nigerian Art
- Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Igala, Jukun, Akwanshi and Mbari
- Nigerian Crafts
- Pottery, woodwork, cloth-weaving, carving, leather works, metal works, beadwork, body decoration, and mat and cane weaving
- Development in Contemporary Nigerian Arts and Artists
- Art schools and groups: Zaria, Nsukka and the Osogbo group
- Artists and art educators: Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, S. I. Wangboje, Jimoh Akolo and Dele Jegede
- Museums, galleries and art centres
- Art institutions and organisations: Nigerian Society for Education through Art (NSEA), Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)
- Major festivals: Argungu Fishing Festival, Eyo, Egungun, Iri-ji (New Yam), Durbar, Igue, Ekpo and Odo
You should be able to, across Section B:
- Compare materials, styles and techniques, and classify periods and styles with emphasis on architecture, surface decoration and calligraphy.
- Compare artists, their works and styles, and differentiate between the art movements.
- Analyse the styles, techniques, innovations and influences of traditional African and Nigerian art.
- Categorise works by style, materials and location, and analyse them by function and characteristics.
- Trace origins, locations and styles.
- Determine the influence of the art schools and groups on the development of art.
- Assess artists by their works, specialisations, techniques and styles.
- Analyse the functions of museums, galleries and art centres, evaluate their impact and examine the characteristics of the major festivals.
Section C: Skills, Techniques, Tools and Materials
- Artistic Skills, Techniques and Processes
- Two-dimensional art: drawing, painting, graphics and textile design
- Perspective: linear, angular, aerial and parallel; terms such as foreground, picture plane, eye-level, vanishing point, foreshortening, optical illusion and depth
- Sculpture, ceramics and crafts
- Computer graphics: CorelDraw
- Tools, Materials and Equipment
- Two-dimensional art tools: brushes, lino cutters, drawing instruments, calligraphic pens and sharpeners
- Two-dimensional art materials: pencils, charcoal, pastel, crayon, fixative, fabric, dyes, lino and wood blocks
- Two-dimensional art equipment: light table, spray gun, enlarger and computer
- Improvisation of tools, materials and equipment: colours, brushes and calligraphic pens for two-dimensional art, and spatula, kiln and beater for three-dimensional art
You should be able to, across Section C:
- Show command of techniques, skills and processes, with emphasis on tone, composition and colour application.
- Identify the types of perspective and use its rules and terms.
- Know the basic tools of design, maintain art tools, use art materials, and operate and maintain art equipment.
- Improvise alternative tools, materials and equipment.
Section D: Appreciation, Functions and Careers
- Art Appreciation
- Man-made objects such as architecture and sculpture
- Natural phenomena such as Zuma Rock and Ikogosi Warm Springs
- Meaning and Functions of Art in Society
- Religious, social, cultural, political, therapeutic and economic functions
- Functions of art in electronic and print media: advertisement, education and recreation
- Art Entrepreneurship
- Job prospects in the visual arts: ceramist, curator, textile designer, industrial designer, sculptor, photographer, cartoonist, illustrator and others
You should be able to, across Section D:
- Identify the aesthetic qualities of natural and man-made phenomena in the Nigerian environment, and differentiate between the two.
- Examine the functions of art and use art to enhance societal values.
- Assess the role of art in electronic and print media.
- Identify job opportunities in the visual arts.
Recommended Textbooks
JAMB lists these texts for Art:
- Banjoko, I. (2000). Visual Arts Made Easy: Textbook for Schools and Colleges. Lagos: Movic Publishing Company Ltd.
- Egonwa, O. D. (1991). African Art: A Contemporary Source Book. Benin: Osasu Publishers.
- Egunlae, S. A. (1985). The Essential Ground Work in Art and Design. Omotola Standard Press and Bookshop (Nig) Ltd.
- Erese, U. O. and Ogunsina, E. D. (1989). Creative Arts and Crafts for J.S.S. Onibonoje Press.
- Nahab, S. J. (2003). Art of the Millennium for Senior Secondary Schools. Ehindero (Nig.) Ltd.
- Ogumor, E. (1993). Certificate Art for Junior Secondary Schools and Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Olaosebikan, W. A. (1982). Cultural and Creative Arts. Evans.
- Olurukooba, B. K. (1991). Art for Senior Secondary Schools. ABU.
- Uzoagba, I. N. (1982). Understanding Art in General Education. Onitsha: African Publishing Ltd.
- Wangboje, I. N. (1982). A Textbook on Art for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. Evans Publishers.
- Oyedun, Y. F. (2017). Excel in Arts, Photography, Dyeing, Starching and Bleaching. Lagos: Yemsol Graphic Communication.
Six-Week Study Plan
- Week 1: Section A. Learn the elements and principles of design, and memorise the art terms with their meanings.
- Week 2: Section B, topic 1. Study prehistoric to medieval art, the Renaissance artists and the modern art movements.
- Week 3: Section B, topics 2 and 3. Study traditional African art and traditional Nigerian art (Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin and the rest).
- Week 4: Section B, topics 4 and 5. Study Nigerian crafts, art schools, artists, institutions and festivals.
- Week 5: Section C. Study perspective types and terms, and match every tool, material and piece of equipment to its use.
- Week 6: Section D, then revise weak topics and practise past questions under timed conditions.
Tips:
- Section B has the most facts to remember, so start early and revise often.
- Make tables: art movement and its features, artist and his or her works, Nigerian art centre and its materials and location.
- Draw the types of perspective yourself. You remember a vanishing point better when you have drawn one.
- Learn each art term with its area of art, because the syllabus asks you to link the two.
- Use the syllabus objectives as a checklist. If you cannot do what an objective says, you are not ready on that topic.
Sample Questions
- Music, dance and drama belong to which branch of art? A. Visual arts B. Performing arts C. Literary arts D. Applied arts Answer: B
- Cire-perdue, also called the lost-wax process, is used in A. metal casting B. cloth-weaving C. dyeing D. printmaking Answer: A
- Which of the following is a Renaissance artist? A. Ben Enwonwu B. Michelangelo Buonarroti C. Aina Onabolu D. Jimoh Akolo Answer: B
- Zaria, Nsukka and the Osogbo group are examples of Nigerian A. art schools and groups B. festivals C. crafts D. museums Answer: A
- The point at which parallel lines appear to meet in a perspective drawing is the A. vanishing point B. picture plane C. eye level D. foreground Answer: A
Subject Combinations
Art is commonly required for courses such as Fine and Applied Arts, Industrial Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design and Creative Arts. Always check your chosen course and university in the JAMB brochure for the exact combination.
Related: JAMB Subject Combination for Arts Students | JAMB Brochure | JAMB Recommended Textbooks for All Subjects | JAMB UTME Registration Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JAMB Art syllabus?
It is the official JAMB document that lists the topics and learning objectives candidates must cover for Art in the UTME.
How many sections are in the JAMB Art syllabus?
Four, labelled A to D: fundamentals of art, history of art and Nigerian art, skills, techniques, tools and materials, and appreciation, functions and careers.
Is Art the same as Fine Art in JAMB?
JAMB lists the subject as Art. Many candidates and schools also call it Fine Art or Visual Art.
Which section has the most topics?
Section B, with five topics covering the history of art, traditional African and Nigerian art, Nigerian crafts, and contemporary Nigerian art and artists.
Do I need to know specific Nigerian artists and festivals?
Yes. The syllabus names artists such as Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, S. I. Wangboje, Jimoh Akolo and Dele Jegede, and festivals such as Argungu, Eyo, Egungun and Durbar.
Where can I get past questions for Art?
Click here
Check Other JAMB Subject Syllabuses
- All Subjects
- Use of English
- Agriculture Science
- Arabic
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Christian Religious Studies
- Commerce
- Computer studies
- Economics
- French
- Geography
- Government
- Hausa
- History
- Home-Economics
- Igbo
- Islamic-Studies
- Literature-In-English
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- Physical and Health Education
- Principles of Accounts
- Yoruba
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