JAMB Hausa Syllabus 2027: Full Topics, Set Texts and Recommended Books

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Last updated: October, 2026

Writing Hausa in the 2027 UTME? The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) syllabus tells you exactly what the examiners can ask in language, culture and literature, and it names the set texts you must read.

This page lists the three areas of the official JAMB Hausa syllabus, the skills you are expected to show, the prescribed texts for the UTME 2026 to 2030, 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: Hausa
• Syllabus areas: 3 (Harshe or Language, Al’adu or Culture, Adabi or Literature)
• Language topics: 8 (orthography, comprehension, composition, translation, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics)
• Culture topics: 8 (customs, social institutions, traditional occupations, material culture, festivities and games, beliefs and worship, traditional authority and traditional medicine)
• Literature: oral literature (4 topics) and written literature (prose, poetry and drama)
• Set texts: prescribed texts for the UTME 2026 to 2030
• Source: Official JAMB syllabus

In This Guide

1. Aim and objectives of the syllabus
2. The three areas at a glance
3. Detailed syllabus (topics and what you should be able to do)
4. Set texts for the UTME 2026 to 2030
5. Recommended textbooks
6. Six-week study plan
7. Sample questions
8. Subject combinations
9. FAQs

Aim and Objectives

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

• Acquire the ability to read and write competently in the Hausa language.
• Know the basic features of the Hausa language (syntax, phonology, morphology and semantics).
• Have basic knowledge of oral and written Hausa literature.
• Appreciate the culture, customs and institutions of the Hausa people.
• Translate competently from English to Hausa.

The Three Areas at a Glance

• Harshe (Language): orthography, comprehension, composition, translation, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics
• Al’adu (Culture): Hausa customs, social institutions, traditional occupations, material culture, festivities and recreation, traditional beliefs and worship, traditional authority and traditional medicine
• Adabi (Literature): oral literature (narratives, folk sayings, oral songs and traditional drama) and written literature (prose, poetry and drama)

Detailed Syllabus

Harshe (Language)

1. Orthography (Ƙa’idojin Rubutu)
   • Alphabetization, spelling, rules of word merger and division, punctuation and paragraphing, in line with standard Hausa
   • You should be able to: recognise and apply the basic orthographic rules, and identify errors in grammar, choice of words and spelling.
2. Comprehension (Auna Fahimta)
   • Contextual questions on short unseen passages of about 200 words
   • You should be able to: read and understand Hausa texts in context, interpret the meanings and functions of words, build vocabulary, recognise central issues and draw conclusions from the evidence in a text.
3. Composition Techniques (Tsarin Rubutun Insha’i)
   • Argumentative, descriptive, dialogue, expository and narrative composition, and letter writing
   • You should be able to: know the techniques of composition writing in Hausa, and recognise its segments and types.
4. Translation (Fassara)
   • Types of translation, rules of translation, problems of translation and techniques of translation
   • You should be able to: translate proverbial and idiomatic expressions and new words from English to Hausa, and identify the problems of translating into Hausa.
5. Phonology (Tsarin Sauti)
   • Consonants (production and classification by phonation, place and manner of articulation), vowels (classification by the position of the tongue and lips, monophthongs and diphthongs), tone (high, low and falling), syllable structure (open and closed, light and heavy syllables, monosyllabic and disyllabic words), vowel length (long and short vowels), and phonological processes (assimilatory: palatalization, labialization and vowel harmony; non-assimilatory: insertion and deletion)
6. Morphology (Ƙirar Kalma)
   • Roots and stems, affixation (prefix, infix, suffix) and its derivational and inflectional functions, gender and number inflections, and the derivation of nouns and adjectives from verbs, and of adjectives and verbs from nouns
   • You should be able to: explain roots and stems, and tell the inflectional process from the derivational process.
7. Syntax (Ginin Jumla)
   • Word classes (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections and ideophones)
   • Grammatical categories: tense and aspect (general and relative past, general and relative continuous, first and second future, habitual), mood (subjunctive and negative), gender (masculine, feminine and neuter) and number (singular and plural)
   • Sentence structure (verbal and non-verbal sentences, nominal and verbal phrases), sentence types (simple, compound and complex), and clauses (relative and subjunctive; main and subordinate)
   • You should be able to: analyse how words combine into phrases, clauses and sentences, detect grammatical errors, use tenses, gender and number correctly, and compare types of clauses.
8. Semantics (Ma’ana)
   • Lexical aspects of word meaning (ambiguity, synonyms and antonyms), and figures of speech (idioms, proverbs and similar expressions)
   • You should be able to: build vocabulary and use words and sentences suitable for a particular purpose.

Al’adu (Culture)

The syllabus states the culture objectives in Hausa. In English, candidates should be able to describe, identify and assess the following, including the influence of modern times (tasirin zamani) on each.

1. Hausa Customs (Rayuwar Hausawa)
   • Birth (pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, first-week customs, naming and washing, weaning, circumcision and adolescence)
   • Marriage (types, courtship, betrothal, marriage contract, wedding, married life, divorce and widowhood)
   • Death (announcement, washing, prayer, burial, mourning, charity, widowhood and inheritance)
2. Social Institutions (Zamantakewa)
   • Family structure (extended household or gandu, co-wives, kinship, servitude and age-mate groups), neighbourliness, communal work (gandu and gayya), friendship and alliance, greetings and generosity
3. Traditional Occupations (Sana’o’in Gargajiya)
   • Types (farming, blacksmithing, dyeing, trading, barbering, carving, hunting, weaving, hair plaiting and others), how they are inherited, their raw materials and processes, products, titles and importance, gender-linked occupations, and the effect of modern times
4. Material Culture (Kayayyakin Buƙatun Rayuwa)
   • Household items (clothing and domestic utensils), other needs (buildings and food preparation) and the effect of modern times
5. Hausa Festivities and Recreational Activities (Bukukuwa da Wasanni)
   • Religious (salla and others), traditional (for example kalankuwa, buɗar dawa and the pumpkin festival), occupational (fishing festival, dambe, wrestling, hunting and blacksmith games and the hawan ƙaho), leisure (sukuwa, horse riding) and children’s games (for example shalle, kulli-kurciya and carafke)
6. Traditional Beliefs and Worship (Camfe-camfe da Bauta)
   • Superstitions (for example kangida and kambun baka), witchcraft, worship such as bori and tsafi, and the effect of modern times
7. Traditional Authority (Sarautun Gargajiya)
   • Types of titles (emirs, district heads, village heads and ward heads), royal servants’ titles (for example shantali, jakadiya and baraya), religious titles (liman and alƙali), their ranks, duties and importance
8. Traditional Medicine (Magungunan Gargajiya)
   • Traditional medicines (herbal, powder and liquid), religious medicines (amulets, writing, and divination), methods of use (drinking, applying, steaming, smoking, chewing and tying), dosage and measurement, and their functions (prevention and cure)

Adabi (Literature)

Oral literature (Adabin Baka)

1. Narratives (Zuben Baka)
   • Tatsuniya (folktales), almara, hikaya, ƙissa and history
   • You should be able to: identify the types of narrative and use words suited to each.
2. Folk Sayings (Maganganun Azanci)
   • Kirari (panegyric), habaici (sarcasm), zambo (insult), karin magana (proverbs), kacici-kacici (riddles), salon magana and adon magana (styles and embellishments of speech)
3. Oral Songs (Waƙoƙin Baka)
   • Types (court, communal, male, romantic and others), theme, style, form, structure, singers and musical instruments; work songs (grinding, pounding, hawking and others); and children’s songs
4. Traditional Drama (Wasannin Kwaikwayo Na Gargajiya)
   • Children’s drama (for example langa and ‘yartsana) and adults’ drama (for example ‘yan kama, kalankuwa, hoto, wowwo and tashe), how they are performed and their importance

Written literature (Rubutaccen Adabi) 5. Prose (Zube)

• You should be able to: identify the form, structure, theme, style and characters of the prescribed prose text, and its main messages.

6. Poetry (Waƙa)
   • You should be able to: understand the theme, style, form and structure of the prescribed poems, interpret words and sentences, and relate language use to the message.
7. Drama (Wasan Kwaikwayo)
   • You should be able to: identify the setting, theme, style, characters, form and structure of the prescribed play, and its main messages.

Set Texts for the UTME 2026 to 2030

JAMB’s list of prescribed Hausa texts for the UTME 2026 to 2030 is:

A. Written literature

• Prose: Maraya by I. A. Mahe (Extension Publishers Limited, Ibadan, 2021)
• Drama: Malam Zalimu by A. H. Gidan Dabino (Gidan Dabino Publishers, Kano, 2013)
• Poetry: Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya by A. Anwar (ABU Press, Zaria, 2024)

B. Oral literature

• Prose: Mu Sha Dariya by B. O. Tofa (NNPC, Zaria, 2018)
• Drama: Wasannin Tashe by M. B. Umar (NNPC, Zaria, 2009)
• Poetry: Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka by S. M. Gusau (Benchmark Publishers Ltd, 2003)

C. Language

• Sound System and Grammar by M. A. Z. Sani (University Press Plc, Ibadan, 2000)

D. Culture

• Rayuwar Hausa by CSNL/BUK (Nelson, Lagos, 1980)
• Hausa Customs by I. Madauci (NNPC, 1985)

E. General reference books

• Exam Focus: Hausa Language by M. A. Z. Sani (University Press Plc, Ibadan, 2000)
• Darussan Hausa 1 to 3 by I. Y. Yahaya et al (University Press Plc, Ibadan, 1992)
• Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa by M. H. Junju (NNPC, Zaria, 2010)
• An Introduction to Hausa Grammar by M. K. M. Galadanci (Longman Nigeria, 1984)
• Jagoran Nazarin Kagaggun Labarai by I. Mukhtar (A.J. Publishers, Kano, 2002)
• Rabe-Raben Adabi Da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausawa by A. Dangambo (Triump Publishing Company, Kano, 1984)
• Harshe Da Adabin Hausa A Kammale by J. Ismaila and M. Y. Tanimu (Spectrum Books, Ibadan, 2007)
• Labaru Na Da Da Na Yanzu (NNPC, 1985)
• Zaman Mutum Da Sana’arsa by E. M. Rimmer et al (NNPC, Zaria, reprinted 2002)
• Zaman Hausawa by H. Alhassan et al (Islamic Publication Bureau, Lagos, reprinted 1988)
• Waƙa A Bakin Mai Ita (CSNL, BUK, NNPC, Zaria, 2006)

Recommended Textbooks

JAMB also lists these recommended texts.

Language

• Almajir, T. S. et al (2016). Idioms in English-Hausa. Zaria: ABU Press.
• Galadanci, M. K. M. (1976). Introduction to Hausa Grammar. Zaria: Longman.
• Junju, M. H. (1980). Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa. Zaria: NNPC.
• Muhammad, Y. M. (2005). Fassarar Hausa. Zaria: ABU Press.
• Sani, M. A. Z. (1999). Tsarin Sauti Da Nahawun Hausa. Ibadan: UP Plc.
• Sani, M. A. Z. et al (2000). Exam Focus: Hausa Language. Ibadan: UP Plc.
• Skinner, N. (1977). Grammar of Hausa. Zaria: NNPC.
• Yahaya, I. Y. et al (1992). Darussan Hausa Don Manyan Makarantun Sakandare 1 to 3. Ibadan: UP Plc.

Literature and culture

• Bichi, A. Y. (1979). Waƙoƙin Bikin Aure. Lagos: Nelson.
• Dangambo, A. (1984). Rabe-Raben Adabin Baka da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausawa. Kano: Triumph Publishing Company.
• Gusau, S. M. (1991). Makaɗa Da Mawaƙan Hausa. Kaduna: Fisbas Media Service.
• Ibrahim, M. S. (1977). Kowa Ya Sha Kiɗa. Zaria: Longman.
• Madauci, I. et al (1992). Hausa Customs. Zaria: ABU Press.
• Umar, M. B. (1976). Ɗanmaraya Jos Da Waƙoƙinsa. Ibadan: OUP.
• Umar, M. B. (1977). Wasannin Tashe. Zaria: NNPC.

Dictionaries (Ƙamusai)

• Bargery, G. P. (1951). A Hausa-English Dictionary and English-Hausa Vocabulary. London: OUP.
• Newman, R. M. (1997). An English-Hausa Dictionary. Ibadan: Longman.
• Newman and Newman (1977). Sabon Ƙamus Na Hausa Zuwa Turanci. Ibadan: UPL.
• Skinner, N. (1993). Kamus Na Turanci Da Hausa. Zaria: NNPC.
• CSNL (2006). Ƙamusun Hausa Na Jami’ar Bayero. Zaria: ABU Press.

Six-Week Study Plan

• Week 1: Language: orthography, comprehension and composition techniques. Read short Hausa passages every day.
• Week 2: Language: phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Practise word classes, tenses, gender, number and sentence types.
• Week 3: Language: translation (English to Hausa), including proverbs, idioms and new words.
• Week 4: Culture: customs, social institutions, occupations, material culture, festivities, beliefs, authority and traditional medicine.
• Week 5: Literature: oral literature, then read the prescribed prose, drama and poetry texts.
• Week 6: Revise weak topics and practise past questions under timed conditions.

Tips:

• Read all the prescribed texts, because literature questions ask about theme, style, characters and messages.
• Learn the Hausa technical terms (such as tatsuniya, kirari, karin magana, kacici-kacici and tashe), because questions use them.
• Practise writing in standard Hausa orthography, including the special letters ɓ, ɗ and ƙ.
• Practise translating short English sentences, proverbs and idioms into Hausa every day.
• 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. The Hausa word for “culture” is A. Harshe B. Al’adu C. Adabi D. Fassara Answer: B
2. “Fassara” means A. translation B. comprehension C. phonology D. morphology Answer: A
3. Tatsuniya, almara and hikaya are examples of A. oral narratives B. oral songs C. traditional drama D. riddles Answer: A
4. Which of the following is the prescribed written Hausa drama text? A. Maraya B. Malam Zalimu C. Wasannin Tashe D. Mu Sha Dariya Answer: B
5. The three tones listed for Hausa are high, low and A. falling B. rising C. mid D. level Answer: A

Subject Combinations

Hausa is commonly required for courses such as Hausa, Linguistics, Languages, Education (Hausa), Mass Communication 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 Hausa syllabus?

It is the official JAMB document that lists the language, culture and literature topics, learning objectives and set texts candidates must cover for Hausa in the UTME.

What are the three areas of the syllabus?

Harshe (Language), Al’adu (Culture) and Adabi (Literature), which covers both oral and written literature.

Which Hausa texts must I read?

The written texts are Maraya (prose), Malam Zalimu (drama) and Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya (poetry). The oral literature texts are Mu Sha Dariya, Wasannin Tashe and Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka.

Which years do the set texts cover?

JAMB’s list is for the UTME 2026 to 2030.

Does the syllabus include translation?

Yes. Candidates translate from English to Hausa, including proverbs, idioms and new words.

Where can I get past questions for Hausa?

[Link to your JAMB past questions page.]

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