JAMB Yoruba Syllabus 2027: Exam Structure, Set Texts and Recommended Books

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Last updated: October, 2026

Writing Yoruba in the 2027 UTME? The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) syllabus tells you how the 40 questions are shared, which topics the examiners can ask, and which books and pages to read.

This page lists the three sections of the official JAMB Yoruba syllabus (Language, Literature and Culture), the skills you are expected to show, the prescribed texts, and the books JAMB recommends. You will also find a six-week study plan, sample questions and answers to frequently asked questions.

Quick Facts

• Exam: Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), computer-based
• Subject: Yoruba
• Number of questions: 40 multiple-choice questions
• Syllabus sections: 3 (Language, Literature, Culture)
• Topics: 20 (6 in Language, 5 in Literature and 9 in Culture)
• Poetry pages for 2027: pages 51 to 83 of Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn
• Source: Official JAMB syllabus

In This Guide

1. Aim and objectives of the syllabus
2. Structure of the examination
3. Detailed syllabus (topics and what you should be able to do)
4. Set texts
5. Recommended textbooks
6. Six-week study plan
7. Sample questions
8. Subject combinations
9. FAQs

Aim and Objectives

The aim of the UTME Yoruba syllabus is to prepare candidates for the Board’s examination and test how well they have achieved the course objectives. Candidates are expected to:

• Stimulate and sustain their interest in Yoruba language, literature and culture.
• Acquire basic knowledge and skill in Yoruba language, literature and the material and non-material aspects of culture.

Structure of the Examination

The test is objective. Candidates answer 40 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of the syllabus.

1. Language (21 items)

• Comprehension (1 prose and 1 verse): 8 items
• Essay writing: 1 item
• Sound system: 4 items
• Grammar: 5 items
• Current orthography: 2 items
• Translation: 1 item

2. Literature (10 items)

• Oral literature: 4 items
• Written literature: 6 items

3. Culture (9 items)

Total: 40 items

Detailed Syllabus

Section A: Language

1. Comprehension
   • One prose passage and one verse passage
   • You should be able to: identify the central issues in a passage and draw appropriate conclusions, determine basic assumptions and express ideas, and identify the meanings and functions of given phrases and sentences.
2. Essay Writing
   • Argumentative, descriptive and narrative essays, and letter writing (formal and informal)
   • You should be able to: identify the different types of essay and apply the techniques of each.
3. Sound System
   • Production of sounds (consonants and vowels), tones and tone change, syllable structure, and sound processes (co-vowel occurrence, elision, deletion and others)
   • You should be able to: identify the organs of speech, speech sounds and the parameters for describing each, determine their correct usage, detect pronunciation errors, determine the syllable components of words and show knowledge of the principles underlying the relationship between sounds.
4. Grammar
   • Morphology and word formation, loan-word integration, word classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions), phrases and clauses (types and functions), and sentences (types, structures and functions)
   • You should be able to: show knowledge of word derivation and word adoption, identify the class a word belongs to, and demonstrate knowledge of Yoruba syntax.
5. Current Orthography
   • You should be able to: present ideas in acceptable written form.
6. Translation
   • You should be able to: interpret sentences and ideas in accordance with acceptable principles.

Section B: Literature

1. Oral Literature: Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ)
   • You should be able to: identify the central issues, problems and component parts of the ideas in the work, draw moral lessons, identify figurative and idiomatic expressions, and draw appropriate conclusions.
2. Oral Literature: Drama (Eré Oníṣe)
   • You should be able to: identify the type of drama, extract the narrative techniques, identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions, identify the central theme, and interpret it in accordance with the acceptable principles of the society.
3. Written Literature: Prose (Ìtàn Àròsọ)
   • You should be able to: show good knowledge of the ideas in the work, draw moral lessons, and identify the narrative techniques and the figurative and idiomatic expressions.
4. Written Literature: Poetry (Ewì)
   • You should be able to: deduce the import of written works and genres, and identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the poem.
5. Written Literature: Drama (Eré Onítàn)
   • You should be able to: identify the central theme, interpret it in accordance with the acceptable principles of the society, identify types of drama, identify figurative and idiomatic expressions, and extract the narrative techniques.

Section C: Culture

1. Beliefs (Èrò àti Ìgbàgbọ́)
   • Olódùmarè, àkùdàáyà, emèrè, àjẹ́, the irúnmọlẹ̀ and so on
   • You should be able to: distinguish traditional practices and acceptable ways of life from modern and common-sense beliefs.
2. Politics and Security (Ètò Ìṣèlú àti Ààbò Ìlú)
   • Ẹgbẹ́ and ọgbà (groups and societies), chieftaincy titles and the chiefs, war and so on
   • You should be able to: assess the functions and roles of individuals, chieftains and groups in keeping peace, stability and continuity in society.
3. Funeral Rites and Inheritance (Ètò Ìsìnkú àti Ogún Pínpín)
   • Òkú àgbà, òkú ọ̀fọ̀, òkú òòṣà, ìtúfọ̀, ilẹ̀ òkú gbígbẹ́, ìdí igi, mọ̀lẹ́bí, bàbá ìsìnkú and so on
   • You should be able to: distinguish between the traditional practices and relate them to funerals and inheritance.
4. Yoruba Numerals (Òǹkà Yorùbá)
   • Counting from one to 20,000 (oókan títí dé ọ̀kẹ́ kan)
   • You should be able to: count in Yoruba numerals, and apply addition, subtraction and division methods in Yoruba.
5. Marriage and Naming (Ètò Ìgbéyàwó àti Ìsọmọlórúkọ)
   • Everything that relates to marriage and naming ceremonies
   • You should be able to: relate social activities and events to the appropriate situations.
6. Healthcare (Ètò Ìwòsàn)
   • Care of the sick, and the care and delivery of pregnant women
   • You should be able to: show knowledge of the best way of using appropriate healthcare practices.
7. Recreation and Games (Eré Ìdárayá)
   • Moonlight games (eré òṣùpá), such as àlọ́ and bojúbojú, and daytime games (eré ojúmọmọ), such as ìjàkadì, ayò, òkòtó and àrín
   • You should be able to: identify the types of Yoruba traditional games, their rules and regulations, and the values derived from each.
8. Traditional Occupations and Food (Iṣẹ́ Abínibí àti Oúnjẹ Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá)
   • Occupations such as farming, ìṣọ̀nà (carving) and ìlù lílù (drumming), and foods such as àbàrí, iyán and ẹ̀wà
   • You should be able to: show adequate knowledge of the traditional professions, compare them, show how each type of Yoruba food is prepared and mention the nutritional value of each food.
9. Home Training (Ẹ̀kọ́ Ilé)
   • Ìwà ọmọlúàbí and its benefits
   • You should be able to: identify acceptable patterns of behaviour and attitude that conform with societal norms and values.

Set Texts

JAMB prescribes these texts for Yoruba literature.

Oral literature

• Prose: Babalọlá, A. (2023). Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ́ Ìjàpá (Apá Kejì). Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc.
• Drama: Ògúnníran, L. (2022). Eégún Aláré. Ìbàdàn: Golden Pen Publishers.

Written literature

• Prose: Ìṣọ̀lá, A. (2023). Ogún Ọmọdé. Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc.
• Poetry: Àdéwọlé, O. (2023). Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn. Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc. JAMB assigns pages by year:
  • 2026: pages 1 to 50
  • 2027: pages 51 to 83
  • 2028: pages 84 to 116
  • 2029: pages 117 to 152
  • 2030: pages 153 to 216
• Drama: Fádíyà, O. (2023). Ọ̀tẹ̀ Oyè. Ìbàdàn: Genius Books Publishers.

Recommended Textbooks

JAMB also lists these recommended texts.

Language

• Abíọ́dún, J. (1995). Àròkọ àti Aáyan Ògbufọ̀. Lagos: MAJAB Publishers.
• Adéwọlé, L. O. et al (2000). Exam Focus: Yorùbá Language for WASSCE/SSCE. Ìbàdàn: UP Plc.
• Awóbùlúyì, O. (1978). Essentials of Yorùbá Grammar. Ìbàdàn: UP Plc.
• Awóbùlúyì, O. (ed.) (1990). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá), Vol. II. Ìbàdàn: UP Plc.
• Awóbùlúyì, O. (2008). Ẹ̀kọ́ Ìṣẹ̀dá-Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá. Akurẹ: Montem Paperback.
• Awóbùlúyì, O. (2013). Ẹ̀kọ́ Gírámà Èdè Yorùbá. Oṣogbo: Atman Ltd.
• Babalọlá, A. (ed.) (1991). Ìwé Ìmọ́dọ̀tun Yorùbá SSI to SSIII. Longman.
• Bámgbóṣé, A. (ed.) (1984). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá), Vol. 1. Ìbàdàn: UP Plc.
• Bámgbóṣé, A. (1990). Fọnọ́lọ́jì àti Gírámà Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn.
• Mustapha, O. (ed.) (1988). Ẹ̀kọ́-Èdè Yorùbá Òde-òní SSI to SSIII. Macmillan Publishers.
• Mustapha, O. (ed.) (1991). Ẹ̀kọ́-Èdè Yorùbá Titun SSI to SSIII. Ìbàdàn: UP Plc.
• Ọdẹ́tókun, A. et al (2005). Ìwé Ìgbáradì fún Ìdánwó Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn: Macmillan Publishers.
• Owólabí, K. (1989). Ìjìnlẹ̀ Ìtúpalẹ̀ Èdè Yorùbá (1): Fónẹ́tíìkì àti Fọnọ́lọ́jì. Ìbàdàn: Oníbọnòjé Press.
• Owólabí, O. et al (1999). Countdown WASSCE/SSCE, NECO, JME (Ìwé Ìgbáradì fún Ìdánwò Àṣekágbá Yorùbá). Ìbàdàn: Evans.
• Ọ̀yádèyí, O. (1998). Ìjìnlẹ̀ Fọnọ́lọ́jì àti Gírámà Èdè Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn: Heinemann.

Literature

• All the prescribed texts are listed under Set Texts above.

Culture

• Adéoyè, C. L. (1979). Àṣà àti Ìṣe Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn: OUP.
• Adéoyè, C. L. (1985). Ìgbàgbọ́ àti Ẹ̀sìn Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn: Oníbọnọ̀jé Press.
• Ládélé, T. A. et al (1986). Àkójọpọ̀ Ìwádìí Ìjìnlẹ̀ Àṣà Yorùbá. Ìbàdàn: Macmillan Publishers.

Six-Week Study Plan

• Week 1: Language: comprehension (prose and verse) and essay writing. Read one passage a day.
• Week 2: Language: sound system, grammar, current orthography and translation.
• Week 3: Literature: oral prose and drama (Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ́ Ìjàpá and Eégún Aláré).
• Week 4: Literature: written prose, poetry and drama (Ogún Ọmọdé, pages 51 to 83 of Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn, and Ọ̀tẹ̀ Oyè).
• Week 5: Culture: all nine topics, with the Yoruba numerals practised every day.
• Week 6: Revise weak topics and practise past questions under timed conditions.

Tips:

• Culture carries 9 questions and Literature 10, so together they are almost half the paper. Do not skip them.
• For the poetry text, read only the pages assigned to the year you write. For 2027, that is pages 51 to 83.
• Practise Yoruba numerals up to 20,000 (ọ̀kẹ́ kan), including addition, subtraction and division.
• Write with the correct tone marks and under-dots. Orthography and sound system questions test them.
• For each literary text, note the theme, moral lessons, narrative techniques and figurative expressions.
• Use the syllabus objectives as a checklist. If you cannot do what an objective says, you are not ready on that topic.

Sample Questions

1. How many questions does the UTME Yoruba paper contain? A. 20 B. 40 C. 60 D. 80 Answer: B
2. The Yoruba numerals in the syllabus run from one up to A. 100 B. 1,000 C. 20,000 D. 200,000 Answer: C
3. Which of the following is an example of eré òṣùpá (moonlight games)? A. Àlọ́ B. Ayò C. Ìjàkadì D. Òkòtó Answer: A
4. Which of the following is the prescribed written prose text? A. Eégún Aláré B. Ogún Ọmọdé C. Ọ̀tẹ̀ Oyè D. Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ́ Ìjàpá Answer: B
5. Ìwà ọmọlúàbí is taught under A. Ẹ̀kọ́ Ilé B. Ètò Ìwòsàn C. Òǹkà Yorùbá D. Ètò Ìsìnkú Answer: A

Subject Combinations

Yoruba is commonly required for courses such as Yoruba, Linguistics, Languages, Education (Yoruba), Theatre Arts and other Arts courses. 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 Yoruba syllabus?

It is the official JAMB document that lists the exam structure, topics, learning objectives and set texts candidates must cover for Yoruba in the UTME.

How many questions are in JAMB Yoruba?

Forty multiple-choice questions: 21 on Language, 10 on Literature and 9 on Culture.

Which pages of the poetry text do I read for 2027?

Pages 51 to 83 of Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn by O. Àdéwọlé (2023).

Which Yoruba texts must I read?

Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ́ Ìjàpá (Apá Kejì), Eégún Aláré, Ogún Ọmọdé, Èdè Abínibí àti Àwọn Àròfò Mìíràn and Ọ̀tẹ̀ Oyè.

Does the syllabus include Yoruba numerals?

Yes. Candidates count from one to 20,000 and apply addition, subtraction and division in Yoruba.

Where can I get past questions for Yoruba?

Click here

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