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JAMB Hausa Syllabus 2026/2027
Complete official UTME Hausa syllabus — all topics, sub-topics and JAMB learning objectives. Study what actually comes out, nothing extra.
3
Sections
40
Questions
JAMB Hausa Syllabus PDF
Official JAMB document • Free download
Section 1
1
Harshe (Language)
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1. Ƙa'idojin Rubutu (Orthography)
- Alphabetization and spelling
- Rules of word merger and division
- Punctuation and paragraphing in standard Hausa
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Recognise the basic Hausa orthographical rules
- Apply the Hausa orthographical rules
- Identify linguistic errors such as wrong grammar, wrong choice of words and wrong spelling
2. Auna Fahimta (Comprehension)
- Contextual questions from short unseen passages of about 200 words
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Read written Hausa texts
- Comprehend a Hausa text in a given context
- Interpret various meanings and functions of words in a given text
- Acquire sufficient vocabulary
- Recognise central issues in a given text
- Draw conclusions based on available evidence in a given text
3. Tsarin Rubutun Insha'i (Composition Techniques)
- Argumentative composition
- Descriptive composition
- Dialogue
- Expository composition
- Narrative composition
- Letter writing
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Acquire the knowledge and techniques of composition writing in Hausa
- Recognise the different segments of composition in Hausa
- Recognise the different types of Hausa composition
4. Fassara (Translation)
- Ire-iren fassara — types of translation
- Ƙa'idojin fassara — rules of translation
- Matsalolin fassara — problems of translation
- Dabarun fassara — techniques of translation
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Translate proverbial and idiomatic expressions and new words from English to Hausa
- Recognise the different types of translation
- Understand the basic techniques of translating proverbial and idiomatic expressions into Hausa
- Identify the problems of translation into Hausa
5. Tsarin Sauti (Phonology)
- Consonants — production and classification by phonation, place and manner of articulation
- Vowels — production and classification by tongue/lip position; monophthongs and diphthongs
- Tone — high, low and falling tones
- Syllable structure — open and close syllables, light and heavy syllables; monosyllabic, disyllabic, etc.
- Vowel length — long and short vowels
- Phonological processes — assimilatory (palatalization, labialization, vowel harmony) and non-assimilatory (insertion and deletion)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Analyse the process of sound production and combination of sounds to form meaningful words in Hausa
- Appraise the importance of vowels in determining meaning
- Distinguish between the phonetic attributes of sounds
- Recognise the number of syllables and their types in a word
- Analyse the phonological processes in Hausa
6. Ƙirar Kalma (Morphology)
- Roots and stems
- Affixation — prefix, infix and suffix; their derivational and inflectional functions
- Gender and number inflections
- Derivation of nouns and adjectives from verbs; adjectives and verbs from nouns
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Explain the roots and stems of Hausa words
- Explain the inflectional process in Hausa word formation
- Explain the derivational process of word formation in Hausa
- Differentiate between the two morphological processes
7. Ginin Jumla (Syntax)
- Word classes — nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections and ideophones
- Grammatical categories — tense and aspect (general/relative past, general/relative continuous, first/second future, habitual); mood (subjunctive and negative); gender (masculine, feminine, neuter); number (singular and plural)
- Sentence structure — verbal sentence, nominal phrase + verbal phrase, non-verbal sentence (nominal phrase + stabilizer, nominal phrase + continuous frame yana…/yake… + da + nominal phrase)
- Sentence types — simple, compound and complex sentences
- Clauses — types (relative and subjunctive); functions (main and subordinate)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Analyse the processes governing word combination to form phrases, clauses and sentences in Hausa
- Detect linguistic errors in grammar
- Construct grammatical sentences for effective communication
- Use the appropriate tenses in spoken and written Hausa
- Use the appropriate gender and number in spoken and written Hausa
- Differentiate between types of sentence structure
- Distinguish between nominal and verbal phrases
- Compare types of clauses
8. Ma'ana (Semantics)
- Lexical aspects of word meaning — ambiguity, synonyms and antonyms
- Figures of speech — idioms, proverbs and other specialised meanings of words and phrases
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Analyse the mechanisms of generating meanings in Hausa
- Build up vocabulary
- Recognise the various meanings and functions of sentences in communication
- Use words and sentences suitable for a particular purpose
- Construct meaningful sentences for effective communication
Section 2
2
Al'adu (Culture)
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1. Rayuwar Hausawa (Hausa Customs)
- Haihuwa (birth) — pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, first-week customs, naming ceremony, circumcision and adolescence
- Aure (marriage) — types, courtship, bride price, marriage ceremony, married life, divorce and widowhood
- Mutuwa (death) — announcements, washing, funeral prayer, burial, mourning period, alms-giving and inheritance
- Tasirin zamani — the impact of modernity on Hausa customs
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the customs associated with pregnancy through to adolescence
- Explain the impact of modernity on birth customs
- Describe courtship customs through to widowhood
- Explain the impact of modernity on marriage
- Describe the stages from announcing a death to sharing inheritance
- Explain the impact of modernity on death customs
- Assess the overall significance and modern impact of Hausa customs
2. Zamantakewa (Social Institutions)
- Family structure — gandu (extended household), relationships among co-wives, kinship, clientage and trusteeship
- Maƙwabtaka — neighbourliness
- Aikin gandu da na gayya — cooperative farming and communal labour
- Friendship and companionship (abota da ƙawance)
- Greetings and hospitality (gaisuwa da karamci)
- Impact of modernity on social institutions
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the structure of family relations and interactions among the Hausa
- Explain the importance of social institutions among the Hausa
- Assess the impact of modernity on Hausa social customs
3. Sana'o'in Gargajiya (Traditional Occupations)
- Types — farming, blacksmithing, tanning, trading, barbering, woodcarving, hunting, dyeing, weaving, plaiting, butchery, basket-weaving and others
- Nature — methods of inheritance, tools used, stages of production and their importance
- Products and output of each occupation
- Titles associated with each occupation
- Gender-linked occupations — paid labour (male) vs. plaiting/barbering distinctions
- Impact of modernity on traditional occupations
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the characteristics of practitioners of each occupation
- Identify products of each occupation
- Distinguish male from female occupations
- Describe the tools of each occupation
- Explain methods of inheriting occupations
- Explain the importance of traditional occupations
- Assess the impact of modernity on traditional occupations
4. Kayayyakin Buƙatun Rayuwa (Material Culture)
- Household needs — clothing and household utensils
- Other needs — architecture, cuisine and others
- Impact of modernity on material culture
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify material cultural items of the Hausa
- Explain the uses of Hausa material cultural items
- Assess the impact of modernity on Hausa material culture
5. Bukukuwa da Wasanni (Festivities and Recreational Activities)
- Religious — Eid festivals (Sallah), takutaha, cika-ciki and Qur'anic graduation (saukar karatu)
- Traditional — kalankuwa, buɗar dawa and bikin shan kabewa
- Occupational — fishing festival, boxing (dambe), wrestling (kokawa), hunting games, blacksmiths' games and horn-riding
- Entertainment — sukuwa
- Children's games — shalle, kulli-kurciya, a-sharuwan-tsuntsaye, gaɗa and carafke
- Impact of modernity on festivities and games
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the types of Hausa games and festivities
- Explain their importance
- Suggest how they can be preserved
- Describe how they are conducted
- Assess the impact of modernity on them
6. Camfe-camfe da Bauta (Traditional Beliefs and Worship)
- Traditional beliefs — kangida, camfi, kambun baka and witchcraft (maita)
- Traditional worship — bori spirit possession and tsafi (fetish worship)
- Impact of modernity on traditional beliefs and worship
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the types of traditional beliefs and worship and how they are practised
- Explain their benefits
- Explain their dangers
- Assess the impact of modernity on them
7. Sarautun Gargajiya (Traditional Authority)
- Types — emirs (sarakuna), district heads (hakimai), village heads (dagatai) and ward heads (masu unguwanni)
- Royal servants — shantali, jakadiya, baraya and others
- Religious title holders — imam (liman) and judge (alƙali)
- Functions of each title holder
- Impact of modernity on traditional authority
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Classify traditional titles by category
- Describe the hierarchy of titles
- Identify the function of each title holder
- Explain the importance of each title
- Assess the impact of modernity on traditional authority
8. Magungunan Gargajiya (Traditional Medicine)
- Traditional types — herbal preparations (sassaƙe-sassaƙe), liquid concoctions, powders and water-based remedies
- Islamic types — amulets (layu), Qur'anic writing, ɗibbu and divination (duba)
- Methods of use — drinking, rubbing, steaming, incense, inhaling, chewing, sucking, tying, plastering and hanging
- Dosage and measurement
- Functions — prevention (riga-kafi) and cure (warkarwa)
- Impact of modernity on traditional medicine
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Classify the types of traditional medicine
- Describe the methods of application
- Explain the benefits of traditional medicine
- Assess the impact of modernity on traditional medicine
Section 3
3
Adabi (Literature)
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1. Adabin Baka — Zuben Baka (Oral Narratives)
- Types — tatsuniya (folktale), almara (legend), hikaya (story), ƙissa (tale), tarihi (history) and others
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the types of oral narrative
- Use vocabulary appropriate to each narrative type
2. Adabin Baka — Maganganun Azanci (Folk Sayings)
- Types — take (praise epithets), kirari (panegyrics), habaici (innuendo), zambo (satire), karin magana (proverbs), kacici-kacici (riddles), salon magana (rhetorical expressions) and adon magana (figures of speech)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the forms of folk sayings and explain how each is used
- Paraphrase folk sayings using appropriate vocabulary
3. Adabin Baka — Waƙoƙi na Baka (Oral Songs)
- Types — court songs (na fada), public songs (na jama'a), male songs (na maza), entertainment songs (na sha'awa) and others
- Elements — theme (turke/jigo), style (salo), form (zubi), structure (tsari), performer, instruments and subject matter
- Work songs — grinding, pounding, threshing, hawking and others
- Children's songs — wedding songs, open-space songs and others
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the types of oral songs
- Identify the performers associated with each type
- Distinguish form, theme, style, structure and performance instruments
- Classify work songs and children's songs
4. Adabin Baka — Wasannin Kwaikwayo Na Gargajiya (Traditional Drama)
- Children's drama — types (langa, wasan 'yartsana, tashe, wasan gauta, dokin kara and others), how they are performed and their importance
- Adult drama — types ('yan kama, kalankuwa, hoto, wowwo, tashe and others), how they are performed and their importance
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the forms of traditional drama
- Describe how traditional dramas are performed
- Explain the importance of traditional drama
- Distinguish between children's and adult dramatic forms
5. Rubutaccen Adabi — Zube (Prose)
- Set text: Maraya — Mahe, I. A. (Extension Publishers Ltd, Ibadan, 2021)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify and analyse form, structure, theme and style in the set prose text
- Apply correct orthographical rules when reading the prose text
- Interpret the meanings of words and sentences to understand the story
- Identify key messages in the text and make judgements about them
6. Rubutaccen Adabi — Waƙa (Poetry)
- Set text: Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya — Anwar, A. (ABU Press, Zaria, 2024)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Understand theme, style, form and structure in the set poetry text
- Apply the rules of Hausa poetic writing
- Interpret the meanings of words and sentences in the poems
- Relate word and sentence usage to the message of each poem
- Identify key messages in the poems and make judgements about them
7. Rubutaccen Adabi — Wasan Kwaikwayo (Drama)
- Set text: Malam Zalimu — Gidan Dabino, A. H. (Gidan Dabino Publishers, Kano, 2013)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify and analyse setting, theme, style, characters, form and structure in the set drama text
- Appreciate the importance of orthographical rules in conveying meaning
- Interpret the meanings of words to understand the play
- Identify key messages in the play and make judgements about them
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Now Practice JAMB Hausa Past Questions
Reading the syllabus is step one. The fastest way to score high is to practice real past questions from every year — with instant answers and explanations.
Practice Hausa Past Questions →📚 JAMB Recommended Textbooks
These are the official books listed by JAMB for Hausa preparation:
📖 Mahe, I. A. (2021) — Maraya, Extension Publishers Limited, Ibadan
📖 Gidan Dabino, A. H. (2013) — Malam Zalimu, Gidan Dabino Publishers, Kano
📖 Anwar, A. (2024) — Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya, ABU Press, Zaria
📖 Tofa, B. O. (2018) — Mu Sha Dariya, NNPC, Zaria
📖 Umar, M. B. (2009) — Wasannin Tashe, NNPC, Zaria
📖 Gusau, S. M. (2003) — Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka, Benchmark Publishers Ltd
📖 Sani, M. A. Z. (2000) — Sound System and Grammar, U.P. Plc, Ibadan
📖 CSNL/BUK (1980) — Rayuwar Hausa, Nelson, Lagos
📖 Madauci, I. (1985) — Hausa Customs, NNPC
📖 Sani, M. A. Z. (2000) — Exams Focus Hausa Language, U.P. Plc, Ibadan
📖 Yahaya, I. Y. et al. (1992) — Darussan Hausa 1–3, U.P. Plc, Ibadan
📖 Junju, M. H. (2010) — Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa, NNPC, Zaria
📖 Galadanci, M. K. M. (1984) — An Introduction to Hausa Grammar, Longman Nigeria
📖 Mukhtar, I. (2002) — Jagoran Nazarin Kagaggun Labarai, A.J. Publishers, Kano
📖 Dangambo, A. (1984) — Rabe-Raben Adabi Da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausa, Triumph Publishing Company, Kano
📖 Ismaila, J. and Tanimu, M. Y. (2007) — Harshe Da Adabin Hausa A Kammale, Spectrum Books, Ibadan
📖 NNPC (1985) — Labaru Na Da Da Na Yanzu, NNPC
📖 Rimmer, E. M. et al. (2002) — Zaman Mutum Da Sana'arsa, NNPC, Zaria
📖 Alhassan, H. et al. (1988) — Zaman Hausawa, Islamic Publication Bureau, Lagos
📖 CSNL, BUK (2006) — Waƙa A. Bakin Mai Ita, NNPC, Zaria
Common Questions 🤔
JAMB Hausa has three sections: Section 1 (Harshe — Language), Section 2 (Al'adu — Culture) and Section 3 (Adabi — Literature). Literature covers both oral literature (Adabin Baka) and written literature (Rubutaccen Adabi).
The JAMB Hausa set texts for 2026–2030 are: Prose — Maraya by Mahe, I. A.; Drama — Malam Zalimu by Gidan Dabino, A. H.; Poetry — Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai Don Manazarta Hausa Na Ɗaya by Anwar, A. For oral literature the set texts are Mu Sha Dariya (prose), Wasannin Tashe (drama) and Jagoran Nazarin Waƙar Baka (poetry).
The Language section covers eight areas: Orthography (Ƙa'idojin Rubutu), Comprehension (Auna Fahimta), Composition (Tsarin Rubutun Insha'i), Translation (Fassara), Phonology (Tsarin Sauti), Morphology (Ƙirar Kalma), Syntax (Ginin Jumla) and Semantics (Ma'ana).
The Culture section covers Hausa customs (birth, marriage, death), social institutions, traditional occupations, material culture, festivities and games, traditional beliefs and worship, traditional authority (emirate system) and traditional medicine.
Oral literature (Adabin Baka) covers narratives, folk sayings, oral songs and traditional drama that are performed or spoken rather than written. Written literature (Rubutaccen Adabi) refers to published prose, poetry and drama texts — for UTME 2026–2030 these are Maraya, Waƙoƙin Wayar Da Kai and Malam Zalimu.
The syllabus structure — Language, Culture and Literature — has remained stable. However, the set texts for written literature were updated for 2026–2030. Always confirm the current prescribed texts with the official JAMB syllabus and practise past questions from 2023 onwards.