JAMB has officially released the 2026 syllabus for Yoruba Language, and it is now available on their website. If you are preparing for the UTME, this syllabus will help you know what topics to focus on during your preparation. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about the syllabus, including how to download it as a PDF and also how to use it offline for your study and preparation.
| Examination Type | UTME/Direct Entry |
| Examination Year | 2026/2027 |
| Syllabus | Yoruba Language |
| File Format | |
| File Size | 236KB |
The JAMB Yoruba Language syllabus is designed to test your understanding of the Yoruba language, literature, and culture. It covers important areas such as grammar, oral and written literature, and idiomatic expressions. You will also be expected to understand aspects of Yoruba history, beliefs, and values, as well as the correct use of tone marks. The goal is to assess your ability to read, write, and interpret the language effectively.
General Objectives
- Stimulate and sustain their interest in Yorùbá language, literature and culture;
- Acquire basic knowledge and skill in Yorùbá language, literature and material and non-material aspects of culture.
Structure of the Examination
The test will be of an objective type, candidates will answer forty (40) multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of the syllabus:
1. LANGUAGE
(a) Comprehension (1 prose and 1 verse) – 08 items
(b) Essay writing – 01 item
(c) Sound system – 04 items
(d) Grammar – 05 items
(e) Current orthography – 02 items
(f) Translation – 01 item
2. LITERATURE
(a) Oral – 04 items
(b) Written – 06 items
3. CULTURE – 09 items
TOTAL 40 items
JAMB Syllabus for Yoruba Language 2026
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|
| SECTION A 1. LANGUAGE: (a) Comprehension: (i) Prose (ii) Verse (b) Essay Writing: (c) Sound System: (i) Production of sounds (consonants and vowels); (ii) Tones and tone change; (iii) Syllable structure; and (iv) Sound processes – co-vowel occurrence, elision, deletion, etc. (d) Grammar:(i) Morphology – Word-formation; (ii) Loan-word integration; (iii) Word classes – nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, etc.; (iv) Phrases and clauses – types and functions; (v) Sentences – types, structures and functions. (e) Current Orthography | Candidates should be able to: (i) identify central issues in a passage and draw appropriate conclusions; (ii) determine basic assumptions and express ideas; and (iii) identify the meanings and functions of given phrases and sentences. Candidates should be able to: (i) identify different types of essay; and (ii) apply different types of techniques associated with each type. Candidates should be able to: (i) identify organs of speech, speech sounds and parameters for describing each speech sound; (iia) determine their correct usages; (iib) detect linguistic errors (pronunciations and wrong usages); (iii) determine the syllable components of words; and (iv) demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles underlying the relationship between sounds. Candidates should be able to: (i) demonstrate good knowledge of word derivation; (ii) demonstrate knowledge of word adoption; (iii) identify the appropriate class a word belongs to; (iv) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Yorùbá syntax; (v) identify the types structures and functions of sentences. Candidates should be able to: present ideas in acceptable written form. |
| 2. LITERATURE (a) Oral Literature: (i) Prose:Babalọlá, A. (2018). Àkójọpọ̀ Àlọ́ Ìjàpá (Apá Kìn-ín-ní). Ìbàdàn: University Press Plc. (ii) Poetry:Babalọlá, A. (2001). Àwọn OríkìOrílẹ̀ Mẹ́ tàdínlọ́gbọ̀n, Lagos: Learn Africa Plc. pp. i-ix & 117- 314. (b) Written Literature:(i) Prose:Awé, D. (2016). Mọrèmi Àjàṣorò. Iléṣà: Elyon Publishers (ii) Poetry:Àkànjí, A. (2017). Ò ro ̀Ẹnu Akéwì. Ìbàdàn: Genius Books Publishers. (iii) Drama:Ìṣo `. lá, A. (2014). Nítorí Owó. Òṣogbo: Sumob Publishers | Candidates should be able to: (i) identify central issues, problems and the component parts of ideas presented in the work of art; (ii) draw moral lessons from the text; (iii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text; and (iv) draw appropriate conclusions. Candidates should be able to: (i) deduce logical inferences from abstract relations of components in the work of art; and (ii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the poem. Candidates should be able to: (i) demonstrate good knowledge of ideas in the work of art; (ii) draw moral lessons from the text; (iii) identify the narrative techniques in the text; and (iv) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the text. Candidates should be able to: (i) deduce the import of written works of art and genres; and (ii) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the poem. Candidates should be able to: (i) identify the central theme of the work; (ii) interpret same in accordance with acceptable principles of the society; (iii) identify types of drama; (iv) identify the figurative and idiomatic expressions in the drama; and (v) extract the narrative techniques in the drama. |
| 3. CULTURE: 1. Èrò àti Ìgbàgbọ́:Olódùmarè, àkùdàáyà, emèrè, àjẹ̣́, àwọn irúnmọlẹ̣̀, abbl. 2. Ètò Ìṣèlú àti Ààbò Ìlú:Ẹgbẹ̣́ àti ọgbà, oyè jíjẹ àti àwọn ìjòyẹ̣̀, ogun jíjà, abbl. 3. Ètò Ìsìnkú àti Ogún Pínpín:Òkú àgbà, òkú ọ̣̀fọ̣̀, òkú òòṣà, ìtúfọ̣̀, ilẹ̣̀ òkú gbígbẹ̣́, ìdí igi, mọ̣̀ lẹ̣́bí, bàbá ìsìnkú, abbl. 4. Òǹkà Yorùbá:Oókan títí dé ọ̣̀kẹ̣́ kan (1-20,000). 5. Ayẹyẹ:Ìgbéyàwó, ìsọmọlórúkọ, ìwúyè, abbl. 6. Ètò Ìwòsàn:Ìtọ̣́ jú aláìsàn, ìtọ̣́ jú àti ìgbẹ̣̀bí aboyún, abbl. 7. Eré Ìdárayá:(i) Eré òṣùpá – àlọ̣́, bojúbojú, abbl; (ii) Eré ojúmọmọ – ìjàkadì, ayò, òkòtó, àrín, abbl. 8. Iṣẹ́Abínibí àti Oúnjẹ Ilẹ̀Yorùbá:(i) Iṣẹ̣́-àgbẹ̣̀ ìṣọ̣̀nà, ìlù lílù, abbl;(ii) Oúnjẹ – àbàrí, iyán, ẹ̣̀wà, abbl. 9. Ẹ̀kọ́Ilé:Ìwà ọmọlúàbí àti àǹfààní rẹ̣̀. | Candidates should be able to: distinguish traditional practices and acceptable ways of life from modern and common-sense beliefs. Candidates should be able to: assess the functions and roles of individuals, chieftains, and groups in ensuring peace, stability and continuity of society. Candidates should be able to: (i) distinguish between traditional practices; and (ii) relate them to funerals and inheritance. Candidates should be able to: (i) count in Yorùbá numerals; and (ii) apply addition, deduction and division methods in Yorùbá. Candidates should be able to: relate social activities and events to appropriate situations. Candidates should be able to: demonstrate knowledge of the best way of using the appropriate health care practices. Candidates should be able to: (i) identify types of Yorùbá traditional games; (ii) identify rules and regulations guiding each game; and (iii) mention values derived from each game. Candidates should be able to: (i) demonstrate adequate knowledge of the various traditional professions; (ii) compare various traditional professions; (iii) demonstrate knowledge of preparing each type of Yorùbá food; and (iv) mention nutritional values of each food. Candidates should be able to: identify acceptable patterns of behaviour andattitude that conform with societal norms and values. |
Download JAMB 2026 Syllabus for Yoruba Language
Click the link below to get the full 2026 Yoruba Language syllabus on your smartphone or laptop
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are no major changes reported yet, but always check JAMB’s official updates for the latest information.
No, the Yoruba subject exam must be answered in the Yoruba language as it shows how proficient you are with the language.
No, Yoruba is an optional subject. It is usually selected by candidates pursuing courses in arts, language, or education where Yoruba is a requirement.
Past questions are available in bookstores, educational apps, or through trusted educational websites and blogs.
