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JAMB Home Economics Syllabus 2026/2027
Complete official UTME Home Economics syllabus — all topics, sub-topics and JAMB learning objectives. Study what actually comes out, nothing extra.
4
Sections
40
Questions
JAMB Home Economics Syllabus PDF
Official JAMB document • Free download
Section A
A
Home Economics Education
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1. Home Economics
- Meaning, scope and importance of Home Economics
- Objectives and ideals of Home Economics
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Examine the importance of Home Economics to the individual, family, society and nation
- Identify the objectives of Home Economics
- Determine the scope of Home Economics
2. Areas / Careers in Home Economics
- Home Management — Interior decoration, Credit management, Florist, Child Care, Social welfare care, etc.
- Foods and Nutrition — Catering, Dietetics, Nutritionist, Public Health Education, etc.
- Clothing and Textile — Textile designing, Fashion designing, Modelling, Laundry, etc.
- Family and Child Development — Early and Childhood education, Child care, etc.
- Teaching
- Counselling
- Media
- Research
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Recommend possible vocations in the different areas of Home Economics
- Relate Home Economics to each vocation
- Assess the benefits of each vocation to the individual, society and nation
- Identify current vocations in Home Economics
- Identify sources of career information
3. Interrelationship of Home Economics with Other Subjects
- Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Fine Arts, Economics, Mathematics, Civic Education, etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Compare the different areas of study which have relationship with Home Economics
- Determine the contributions of these subjects to Home Economics
Section B
B
Home Management
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1. Principles of Home Management
- Meaning of Home Management
- Steps in the management process
- Decision-making: meaning and process
- Motivation for Home Management e.g. goals, values, standards, needs and wants, likes and dislikes
What JAMB expects you to do:
- State the meaning of Home Management
- Identify steps involved in the management process
- Determine issues for decision-making in the home
- Describe the role of motivators in Home Management
2. Resources
- Human Resources: definition and types
- Time management — definition and pattern, types of work time, factors influencing the use of time, advantages and steps in time management
- Energy management — definition, work simplification: its purpose, application and guidelines, time-saving gadgets
- Skills, creativity, attitudes, etc.
- Material Resources: definition and types
- Money management — meaning and types of income, principles of money management, household budgeting, economic security of the family, bank accounts, traditional savings, building societies and insurance
- Tools, good properties and community facilities
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the resources available to the individual and family
- Describe the pattern of work plan
- Apply the principle of time management to work simplification in the home
- Identify the sources of income available to an individual and family
- Determine the means of family saving and give reasons for saving family income
- Determine the steps involved in family budgeting
- Suggest alternative resources for Home Management
- Analyse the principles of money management
- State other material resources available to individual and family
3. Family Living
- Definition and types of family — advantages, disadvantages, functions and the family life cycle
- Family relationships — husband/wife, parent/child, sibling relationships and factors that influence them
- Basic personality profiles — meaning of personality, extroversion, introversion and anxiety/stability
- Adolescents and their problems
- Family crises
- Conflict and conflict resolution
- Human rights — meaning, fundamental human rights, rights of women and children, violation of human rights
- Communication and role of ICT in the family
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Compare types of family and identify roles of family members
- Differentiate between the types of relationships that exist in the family
- Determine and describe factors that influence family relationships
- Identify characteristics and problems of adolescents
- Compare the basic personality profiles (extrovert, introvert)
- Identify types of family crises and ways of solving them
- Identify sources of conflict and solution strategies
- Identify types of human rights and human rights violation, and suggest remedies for breach of human rights
- Identify factors that hinder and enhance communication in the family
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of ICT
4. Marriage and Reproductive Health
- Meanings of marriage and sex education
- Boy/girl relationship — courtship, factors to consider when choosing a partner
- Preparation for marriage — meaning and purpose of engagement, types of marriage (Islamic, Christian, Court and Traditional), planning a family
- Reproductive health — consequences of indiscriminate sexual indulgence, sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs and HIV/AIDS), unwanted pregnancy
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate between types of marriages in Nigeria
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of inter-tribal marriages
- Analyse the role of courtship and engagement in marriages
- Identify the different ways of planning a family
- State types, causes and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and diseases
5. Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, labour, delivery and post-natal care
- Childcare — baby's layette, care of the baby, toilet training, bathing, feeding, weaning, etc.
- Care of toddlers — common ailments in children, immunization
- Child development — meaning and principles, types and stages of development, factors influencing development, good habits and character training, play and play materials
- Parenting — meaning, importance and responsibilities of parents
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the process of reproduction from conception to birth
- Describe the care an infant needs from birth to 5 years
- Determine the factors that affect pregnancy
- Differentiate between the stages of labour
- Identify the symptoms of common ailments in children
- Mention types of play materials and trace the stages of development in children
- Recommend suitable play materials for children
- Identify responsibilities of parents
6. Housing the Family
- Houses and home — types of houses, factors that affect the choice of a house, ways of acquiring a house
- Interior decoration — wall finishing, application of elements and principles of art and design to colours, textures, lines and proportions, flower arrangements
- Furniture and furnishings in the home — types, factors that affect choices and position
- Ornaments and fixtures — types and care
- Utilities in the home — water (sources, uses, purification), household fuels (gas, coal, electricity, kerosene, firewood, sawdust), electricity (related terms, generation, safety), communication devices (phone, GSM, computer, internet)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate between a house and a home
- Identify the factors that influence residential choice
- Describe items that beautify living areas
- Suggest suitable colours, textures and other related factors for interior decoration
- Determine factors that influence choice and arrangement of furniture
- Compare different floral arrangements
- Identify types of ornaments and fixtures and describe their care
- Identify utilities in the home and appraise the advantages and disadvantages of these utilities in relation to their alternatives
7. Home Surfaces
- Types and care of surfaces and coverings e.g. wood, tiles, formica, concrete, glass, plastics, linoleums, mats, rugs and terrazzo
- Identification, preparation and use of cleaning agents — water, soap, abrasives, polish, etc.
- Care of home surfaces and coverings — washing, sweeping, dusting, shampooing, buffing, polishing and vacuum cleaning, etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify common surfaces in the home
- Mention cleaning agents and their uses in the home
- Identify materials needed for preparing local cleaning agents
- Compare the care of wood, plastic, concrete, rugs, mats, linoleum, etc.
8. Sanitation in the Home
- Importance of sanitation
- Drainage systems — types and care
- Cleaning of surroundings
- Disposal of household refuse
- Household pests and control
- Pollution and health hazards
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the importance of sanitation
- Identify types of drainage and types of waste water
- Suggest ways of disposing household refuse
- Identify common household pests and their control
- Identify some diseases transmitted by pests
- Describe sources of pollution and mention the health hazards of pollution
9. Consumer Education
- Meaning and importance of consumer education
- Definition and types of market
- Distributors or consumer agents
- Sources of consumer information
- Purchasing practices
- Advertising
- Consumer rights and responsibilities
- Community programmes
- Government agencies and regulatory bodies
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Explain the importance of consumer education
- Identify the different types of markets
- Describe the various consumer agents
- Identify sources of consumer advice and information
- Apply the principles of consumer education to wise shopping
- Identify the types of media used by advertisers and describe their advantages and disadvantages
- Explain the rights and responsibilities of the consumer
- Identify the functions of government agencies and regulatory bodies
Section C
C
Foods & Nutrition
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1. Foods and Nutrition
- Definition of Foods and Nutrition
- Classification of nutrients, their sources and functions, deficiency diseases
- Classification of foods — cereals, fats and oils, milk and milk products, meat, fish, pulses, nuts, fruits, vegetables, etc.
- Food groups — body building foods, energy giving foods, protective foods, water and roughages
- Nutrition and health — relationship of nutrition and health
- Factors affecting nutrition e.g. income, food in season, availability of food, etc.
- The digestive system
- Nutrition for special groups — infants, toddlers, adolescents, manual workers, expectant/lactating mothers, aged, invalid and convalescent
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe food nutrients: carbohydrates, minerals, fat and oil, vitamins, protein and water
- Identify the different classes of food and differentiate between the food groups
- Describe the effect of nutrition on health status and identify factors affecting good nutrition
- Describe the process which breaks down large food molecules
- Recommend the nutritional needs for special groups
- Determine the reasons for the nutritional needs of expectant/lactating mothers, infants, toddlers, sedentary/manual workers, children between 5 and 8, adolescents, aged, invalid and convalescent
2. Meal Planning
- Principles of meal planning
- Dietary needs and meals for special occasions and groups
- Preparation and serving of meals
- Snacks and beverages — meaning, types and functions
- Table setting, table manners and hostessing
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify factors that influence the choice and preparation of food for the family
- Plan meals for special occasions e.g. weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
- Plan meals for special groups e.g. vegetarians, invalids, convalescence, HIV/AIDS patients, COVID patients, etc.
- Identify types of snacks/beverages and their functions
- Compare types of table setting
- Describe table manners and qualities of a good host
3. Cookers and Cooking
- Types, choice and care of cookers e.g. gas, electric, microwave, etc.
- Reasons for cooking
- Cooking terms
- Methods of cooking — moist methods (boiling, stewing, steaming), dry methods (baking, roasting, grilling)
- Methods of heat transfer — conduction, convection and radiation
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify types of cookers, their choice and care
- Enumerate reasons for cooking
- Group the methods of cooking into moist, dry, fast and slow methods
- Determine the method of heat transfer in the various methods of cooking
4. Flours and Uses
- Types and uses of flours
- Raising agents e.g. air, yeast, palm wine, steam, etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify types of flours and their uses
- Select appropriate raising agents for basic mixtures
- Use flour to produce assorted food items
5. Basic Mixtures
- Batters, pastries, cakes, breads
- Definition, types, uses and common faults
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate between batters, pastries, cakes and breads
- Identify types, uses and common faults in batters, pastries, cakes and breads
6. Scientific Methods in Foods and Nutrition
- Measure units and accuracy
- Various nutrient tests in food e.g. test for protein, fats and carbohydrates
- Recipe development
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Demonstrate skills in unit measurements
- Detect the nutrients in a given food
- Develop basic recipes in food preparation
7. The Kitchen
- Types of kitchen
- Arrangement
- Tools and equipment — selection, use and care
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe types and arrangement of kitchen
- Compare large and small kitchen equipment and tools
- Specify factors to consider in selecting kitchen tools and equipment
8. Kitchen Safety and Hygiene
- Common accidents in the kitchen — causes and preventive measures
- First Aid — definition, components of a first aid kit, simple first aid for burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, bleeding, electric shock, poisoning, choking and bites
- Kitchen, personal and food hygiene — procedures and roles, food-borne diseases, food sanitation laws
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify common accidents in the kitchen, their causes and preventive measures
- Suggest ways of making the kitchen a safe place
- Specify items which should be included in a first aid kit
- Suggest simple first aid for scalds, cuts, bleeding, burns, etc.
- Identify ways in which food is contaminated
- Differentiate between food poisoning and food infection
- Identify international and national bodies regulating and monitoring food laws
9. Food Storage and Preservation
- Meaning and purpose of preservation — causes of food spoilage, principles and methods of food preservation
- Convenience foods — definition and types, guidelines for selection, use of convenience foods
- Food additives — types and uses
- Rechauffe dishes — meaning, reason, rules and types
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify agents of food spoilage
- Describe the principles involved in the preservation and storage of foods
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of food preservation methods
- Identify convenience foods and compare the advantages and disadvantages of using them
- Identify guidelines for selecting convenience foods
- Identify additives used in foods
- Explain reasons for rechauffe
10. Home Gardening
- Definition
- Common gardening tools
- Advantages of home gardening
- Types of soil
- Plants and crops suitable for home garden
- Preparation and care of home garden
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify gardening tools
- Explain the importance of home gardening
- Describe the procedures involved in home gardening
Section D
D
Clothing & Textiles
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1. Fibres and Fabrics
- Origin of fibres — definition of textile terms e.g. fibres, fabrics, yarn, staple, filament, blends, etc.
- Classification and properties of fibres e.g. cotton, rayon, silk, etc.
- Fabric construction — weaving, bonding, felting, etc.; locally made fabrics e.g. aso-oke, Okene cloth, Benue cloth, Akwete, Gwado, etc.
- Fabric finishes — moth-proofing, embossing, durable pleating, flame-proofing, stain-repellent, etc.
- Fabric design — tie and dye, print e.g. screen printing, etc.
- Textile care labels — meaning and types, recognition of washing, cleaning and ironing symbols, wool symbols, etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the characteristics of fibre
- Differentiate between methods of fabric construction using diagrams
- State reasons for giving finishes to fabrics
- State the uses and importance of locally made fabrics
- Compare types of labels found on clothing
- State the importance of labels on garments
2. Sewing Equipment and Garment Construction
- Sewing machine, basic tools and equipment — types, use and care
- Basic processes in garment construction — basic stitches, seams, edge finishes, crossway strips, etc.
- Style features — collars, yokes, pockets, frills, cuts, belts, etc.
- Arrangement of fullness — darts, tucks, gathering, pleats, smocking, shirring, etc.
- Decorative design — embroidery, needlecraft, tatting, crocheting, knitting, appliqué, patchwork and soft furnishing
- Simple processes to mend garments — patching, darning, renovation, batik/tie and dye
- Garment construction — figure types, basic body measurement and pattern drafting, embracing body shape, choice of styles for different figures, factors influencing the choice of fabric
- Wardrobe planning and maintenance — basic rules, factors affecting wardrobe planning (weather, occupation, personal features, etc.)
- Good grooming, dress sense and accessories — definition, types and choice of accessories
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the types, parts and faults of a sewing machine
- Identify basic tools and equipment used in garment construction
- Describe various processes in garment construction
- Apply basic processes in garment construction
- Identify style features to enhance the beauty and quality of garments
- Apply decorative designs on fabrics
- Apply the knowledge of sewing to mend and renovate garments
- Compare the process of making batik/tie and dye, screen printing and resist dying
- Relate body figures to the selection of styles and fabrics
- Determine factors which affect the choice of clothing
- Identify factors to consider in wardrobe planning
- Describe good grooming, dress sense, accessories and colour harmony
3. Laundry and Care of Clothes
- Washing and finishing process — sorting, mending, removal of stains, soaking, washing, rinsing, drying, ironing and airing
- Laundry agents — water, detergents, soaps, stiffeners, disinfectants, etc.
- Dry cleaning — meaning and type, factors to consider when dry cleaning
- Stain — meaning, types, agents and process of removal
- Iron and ironing temperatures
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Arrange in correct order the processes involved in washing and finishing of clothing
- Describe the role of laundry agents
- Suggest ways of removing common stains
- Describe laundry agents, stains, ironing temperatures and dry cleaning
- State the guidelines for ironing
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Now Practice JAMB Home Economics 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 Home Economics Past Questions →📚 JAMB Recommended Textbooks
These are the official books listed by JAMB for Home Economics preparation:
📖 Anfani-Joe, M. E. & Ogunjide, L. O. (1993) — Home Management for Senior Secondary School 1–3, University Press Plc
📖 Anyakoha, E. U. & Eluwa, M. (1990) — Home Management for Schools and Colleges, Africana FIRST Publishers
📖 Anyakoha, E. U. (2006) — Home Economics for Junior Secondary Schools Books 1–3, Africana FIRST Publishers
📖 Enid O'Reilly-Wright (1985) — The Student's Cookery Book, Oxford University Press
📖 Haselgrove, N. M. & Scallon, K. A. (1981) — The How and Why of Cookery, Granda Publishing Limited
📖 Neil, A. & Hesmondhalgh, Z. (1985) — A Complete Revision Course for O'Level and GCE, Revised Home Economics, Charles Co. Ltd.
📖 Ogunjide, L. O. et al. (1993) — Clothing and Textiles for Senior Secondary Schools 1–3, University Press Plc
📖 Okeke, S. U. N. (2009) — Home Economics for Schools and College, Africana First Publishers
📖 Olusanya, J. O. et al. (1990) — Foods and Nutrition for Secondary Schools Books 1–3, University Press Plc
📖 Olusanya, J. O. et al. (2000) — Exam Focus, Food and Nutrition for WASSCE and SSCE, University Press Plc
📖 Wisdom Line Pass at Once JAMB
📖 The Internet
Common Questions 🤔
JAMB Home Economics has four sections: Section A (Home Economics Education), Section B (Home Management), Section C (Foods & Nutrition), and Section D (Clothing & Textiles). Together they cover all aspects of home and family science.
JAMB sets 40 questions in Home Economics. The questions are spread across the four sections — Home Economics Education, Home Management, Foods & Nutrition and Clothing & Textiles — covering theory, application and practical knowledge.
Foods & Nutrition (Section C) and Home Management (Section B) tend to carry the highest number of questions. Within these, meal planning, food preservation, nutrition for special groups, resources management and family living are the most consistently tested areas.
Home Economics is not compulsory for all UTME candidates. It is a subject combination choice, typically required for candidates seeking admission into courses like Nutrition and Dietetics, Home Economics Education, Catering and Hotel Management, and related courses.
Nutritional needs differ by life stage and activity level. JAMB frequently tests knowledge of nutrition for special groups — infants, toddlers, adolescents, expectant and lactating mothers, sedentary and manual workers, as well as invalid and convalescent patients.
The Home Economics syllabus structure has remained stable across recent years. The four sections — Home Economics Education, Home Management, Foods & Nutrition, and Clothing & Textiles — remain unchanged. Practise past questions from 2023 onwards to stay current with JAMB's question style.