Home » JAMB Syllabus » The JAMB history syllabus is here to provide candidates with an understanding of what’s required of them to know in their history exams. The syllabus covers a variety of topics, from the earliest history of Nigeria to the modern era.
The syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including the history of Nigeria from its earliest origins to the present day. It also covers the history of Africa, with a particular focus on West Africa and Nigeria. It looks at the social, political, and economic aspects of history, as well as the role of individuals and groups in shaping history.
it is designed to help you understand your history and help you to make connections between different areas of knowledge. In addition, the syllabus is designed to develop your ability to think critically and evaluate historical sources.
The syllabus is divided into two parts.The first part is about Nigeria’s historic events and the second part is about Africa.
The aim of this JAMB History Syllabus for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examinations. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
| JAMB HISTORY SYLLABUS | ||
|---|---|---|
| S/N | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| 1 | THE NIGERIA AREA UP TO 1800 | |
| 1. Land and Peoples of the Nigeria Area: Geographical zones and the people. The people’s relationship with the environment Relations and integration among the peoples of different zones. 2. Early Centres of Civilization: Nok, Daima, Ife, Benin, Igbo Ukwu and Iwo Eleru Monuments and shelter systems: (Kuyambana, Durbi-ta-Kusheyi, city walls and palaces) 3. Origin and formation of States in the Nigeria Area Central Sudan -Kanuri and Hausa, states. Niger-Benue Valley – Nupe, Jukun, Igala, Idoma, Tiv and Ebira Eastern Forest Belt – Igbo and Ibibio Western Forest Belt – Yoruba and Edo Coastal and Niger-Delta – Efik, Ijo, Itsekiri and Urhobo i. Factors influencing their origin and migration ii. Social and political organizations iii. Inter-State relations, religion war and peace 4. Economic Activities and Growth of States: Agriculture – hunting, farming, fishing, animal husbandry and horticulture. Industries – pottery, salt-making, iron-smelting, blacksmithing, leather-working, wood-carving, cloth-making, dyeing and food processing. Trade and trade routes:- local, regional, long distance, including trans-Sahara trade? Expansion of states. 5. External Influences: North Africans/Arabs i. introduction, spread and impact of Islam; ii. trans-Saharan trade. Europeans: i. early European trade with the coastal states. ii. the trans-Atlantic slave trade (origin, organization and impact) | Candidates should be able to: i. identify the geographical zones and the people within them; ii. establish the relationship between the people and the environment iii. Comprehend the relationships among the various peoples of the Nigeria area. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the significance of various centres; ii. establish the historical significance of the various monuments such as caves and rocky formations Candidates should be able to: i. relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin; ii. determine the inter-state relations; iii. account for their, social and political organizations Candidates should be able to: i. identify the various economic activities of the people; ii. differentiate the economic activities and specialties of the people; iii. relate trade and other economic activities to the growth of the states. Candidates should be able to: i. assess the impact of the contact with North Africa on the people and states South of the Sahara. ii. examine the impact of early European contact with the coastal people; iii. trace the origin, organization and impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade; | |
| 2 | THE NIGERIA AREA 1800 – 1900 | |
| 1. The Sokoto Caliphate, The Sokoto Jihad – (causes, courses and consequence): The causes and the process of the jihad The establishment and administration of the caliphate and relations with neighbours The achievements and impact of the caliphate. The collapse of the caliphate. 2. Kanem-Borno: The collapse of the Saifawa dynasty Borno under the Shehus Borno under Rabeh 3. Yorubaland: The fall of the Old Oyo Empire The Yoruba wars and their impact The peace treaty of 1886 and its aftermath 4. Benin: Internal political development Relations with neighbours Relations with the Europeans 5. Nupe: Internal political development Relations with neighbours. 6. Igbo: Internal political development Relations with neigbhours. 7. Efik: Internal political development Relations with neigbhours 8. European Penetration and Impact: European exploration of the interior. The suppression of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The development of commodity trade and rise of consular authority. Christian missionary activities. The activities of the trading companies Impact of European activities on the coast and the hinterland. 9. British Conquest of the Nigeria Area: Motives for the conquest Methods of the conquest and its result. Resistance to and aftermath of the conquest | Candidates should be able to: i. examine the causes, and the processes of the Jihad; ii. determine the factors that led to the rise of the caliphate; iii. examine the administrative set-up of the caliphate and its relations with its neighbours; iv. examine the impact of the caliphate; v. trace the internal and external factors that led to the collapse of the caliphate. Candidates should be able to: i. determine the factors that led to the collapse of the Saifawa dynasty; ii. examine Borno under the administration of the Shehus; iii. assess the role of Rabeh in Borno’s history. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the causes of the fall of the Old Oyo; ii. examine the causes and effects of the Yoruba wars: iii. assess the impact of the 1886 peace treaty. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the internal political development; ii. examine her relations with her neighbours; iii. assess her relationship with the Europeans Candidates should be able to: i. examine Nupe internal political development. ii. assess her relations with her neighbours. Candidates should be able to: i. examine Igbo internal political development. ii. assess her relations with her neighbours. Candidates should be able to: i. examine Efik internal political development. ii. assess her relations with her neighbours. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the motive for the exploration of the interior. ii. give reasons for the suppression of the trans-Atlantic slave trade; iii. trace the development of commodity trade; iv. examine missionary and European activities in the area; iv. asses the activities of the European trading companies v. account for the rise of consular authority Candidates should be able to: i. determine the reasons for the conquest and the methods used; ii. examine the various resistance to the conquest iii. evaluate the results and the aftermath of the conquest | |
| 3 | NIGERIA 1900 – 1960 | |
| 1. The Establishment of Colonial Rule up to 1914: a. Administration of the protectorates 2. The Amalgamation of 1914: a. Reasons b. Effects 3. Colonial Administration After the Amalgamation: Central Administration:- Legislative and Executive Councils Indirect Rule – reasons, working and effects Local administrative institutions, Native Authorities, Native Courts and Native Treasuries. Resistance to colonial rule – Ekumeku Movement in Asaba hinterland 1898 – 1911, the Satiru uprising 1906, Egba and the Anti-tax Agitation 1918, and the Aba Women Movement in 1929. 4. The Colonial Economy: currency, taxation and forced labour Infrastructure (transportation, post and telecommunication) Agriculture Mining Industry Commerce Bankin 5. Social Development under Colonial Rule: Western education Urbanization/social integration Improvement unions Health institutions 6. Nationalism, Constitutional Developments and Independence: a. The rise of nationalist movements b. The 1922 Clifford Constitution and the rise of Nigeria’s first political party. c. World War II and the agitation for independence d. The Richards Constitution of 1946 e. The Macpherson Constitution of 1951. f. Party politics – regionalism, federalism and minorities agitations. g. Lyttleton Constitution of 1954. h. constitutional conference in Lagos in 1957 and in London in 1958 i. The general elections of 1959 and independence in 1960 | Candidates should be able to: i. examine the administrative set-up of the protectorates; Candidates should be able to: i. examine the reasons for the 1914 Amalgamation and its effects. Candidates should be able to: i. relate the composition of the central administrative set-up to its consequences; ii. identify the reasons for the introduction and workings of the indirect rule system; iv. assess the effects of indirect rule; v. examine the local administrative units. iv. account for the anti-colonial movements and their significance Candidates should be able to: i. examine the nature of the economy as it affects taxation. Currency, infrastructures, agriculture, mining, industry, commerce and banking. Candidates should be able to: i. identify the areas of social development under colonial rule; ii. examine the impact of urbanization on the people; iii. examine the level of social integration among the people. Candidates should be able to: i. trace the emergence of the nationalist movement; ii. assess the roles of the different constitutions in constitutional development; iii. examine the effect of World War II in the agitation for independence and the constitutional developments; iv trace the development of party politics and its impact on regionalism and minority question ; v. examine the impact of the constitutional conferences. vi. determine the factors that aided the attainment of independence; | |
| 4 | NIGERIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE | |
| 1. The politics of the First Republic and Military intervention a. Struggle for the control of the centre; b. Issue of revenue allocation c. Minority question d. The 1962/63 census controversies e. The Action Group crisis and the General Elections of 1964/65. f. The coup d’etat of January 1966 and the Ironsi Regime. 2. The Civil War: Cause and effects a. Causes b. Course c. Effects 3. The Gowon Regime. 4. Murtala/Obasanjo Regime 5. The Second Republic 6. The Buhari Regime 7. The Babangida Regime 8. The Interim National Government (ING) 9. The Abacha Regime 10. Nigeria in International Organizations; a. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), b. African Union (AU) c. Commonwealth of Nations d. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) e. United Nations Organization f. The role of Nigeria in Conflict Resolution | Candidates should be able to: i. give reasons behind the struggle for the control of the centre; ii. account for the controversies in revenue allocation; iii. account for the controversies generated by the minority question and the creation of states; iv. account for the controversies generated by the 1962/63 census; v. examine the problems created by the Action Group crisis and the General Elections of 1964/65 vi. assess the significance of military intervention and the Ironsi Regime. Candidates should be able to i. examine the remote and immediate causes of the war; ii. examine the course. iii. assess the effects of the war; Candidates should be able to i. assess the challenges and achievements of the Gowon Regime. Candidates should be able to: i. assess the challenges and achievements of the Murtala/Obasanjo Regime; Candidates should be able to: i. evaluate the challenges and achievements of the Second Republic. Candidates should be able to: i. assess the challenges and achievements of the Buhari Regime Candidates should be able to: i. assess the challenges and achievements of the Babangida Regime; Candidates should be able to: i. examine the role and challenges of the Interim National Government. Candidates should be able to: i. assess the challenges and achievements of the Abacha Regime. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the role of Nigeria in ECOWAS ii. assess the role of Nigeria in the AU iii. evaluate the role of Nigeria in the Common Wealth of Nations iv. assess the role of Nigeria in the OPEC v. Examine the role of Nigeria in the UN vi. examine the role of Nigeria in conflict resolutions in the Congo, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Sudan. | |
| PART II | ||
| S/N | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| 1 | WEST AND NORTH AFRICA | |
| 1. Islamic Reform Movements and State Building in West Africa: Relationship between Sokoto and other Jihads. The Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar The activities of Samori Toure 2. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa: The foundation of Sierra Leone and Liberia and the spread of Christianity The activities and impact of Christian missionaries. 3. Egypt under Mohammed Ali and Khedive Ismail: The rise of Mohammad Ali and his reforms Mohammad Ali’s relations with the Europeans Ismail’s fiscal policies The British occupation of Egypt 4. The Mahdi and Mahdiyya Movement in the Sudan: Causes Course Consequences | Candidates should be able to: i. establish the relationship between the Sokoto Jihad and other Jihads in West Africa: ii. compare the achievements of the Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar. iii. examine the activities of Samori Toure of the Madinka Empire. Candidates should be able to: i. determine the factors that led to the founding of Sierra Leone and Liberia; ii. examine the importance of Sierra Leone and Liberia in the spread and impact of Christianity in West Africa. iii. assess the impact of Christian missionary activities in West Africa Candidates should be able to: i. determine the factors that aided Mohammad Ali’s rise to power and his reforms; ii. establish the relationship between Mohammad Ali’s Empire and the Europeans; iii. account for the fiscal policies of Ismail; iv. examine the reasons for the British occupation of Egypt. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the causes, the course and consequences of the Mahdiyya Movement in the Sudan. | |
| 2 | EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA | |
| 1. The Omani Empire: The rise of the Omani Empire The empire’s commercial and political relations with the coast and the hinterland. The Empire’s relations with the Europeans 2. Ethiopia in the 19th century: The rise of Theodore II and his attempt at the unification of Ethiopia Menelik II and Ethiopian independence 3. The Mfecane: The rise of the Zulu Nation Causes, Course and consequences of the Mfecane 4. The Great Trek: The frontier wars British intervention in the Boer African relations The Great Trek and its consequences | Candidates should be able to: i. determine the factors that led to the rise of the Omani Empire; ii. assess the establishment of commercial and political relations between the Omani Empire, the coast and the hinterland. iii. examine the relationship that existed between the Omani Empire and the Europeans Candidates should be able to: i. examine the factors that led to the rise of Theodore II as the Emperor of Ethiopia; ii. analyse the strategies that were adopted to achieve Ethiopian unification. iii. assess the role of Menelik II in the maintenance of Ethiopian independence Candidates should be able to: i. trace events in Nguniland before the Mfecane; ii. determine for the factors that led to the rapid rise of Shaka. iii. examine the causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane Candidates should be able to: i. determine the factors that led to the frontier wars; ii. account for British intervention in the Boer-African relations; iii. describe the nature of the Great Trek; iv. examine its consequences | |
| 3 | IMPERIALISM, COLONIALISM AND PROBLEMS OF NATION-BUILDING IN AFRICA | |
| 1.The New Imperialism and European Occupation of Africa: The New Imperialism in Africa European scramble for Africa The Berlin Conference The occupation and resistance by Africans. 2.Patterns of Colonial Rule in Africa: The British The French The Portuguese The Belgians 3.The Politics of Decolonization Colonial policies and African discontent The impact of the two world wars Nationalist activities and the emergence of political parties and associations Strategies for attaining independence 4. Apartheid in South Africa: The origin of apartheid Rise of Afrikaner nationalism Enactment of apartheid laws Internal reaction and the suppression of African nationalist movements External reaction to apartheid, the Frontline States, the Commonwealth of Nations, OAU and the UN. The dismantling of apartheid Post-apartheid development 5. Problems of Nation-building in Africa: Political and economic challenges and constraints Physical and environmental challenges Ethnic and religious pluralism Military intervention and political instability. Neo-colonialism and under -development. Boundary disputes and threat to African unity Civil wars and the refugee problem. | Candidates should be able to: i. assess the causes of the New Imperialism ii. examine the causes of the scramble; iii. account for the significance of the Berlin Conference. iv. examine African resistance to the occupation. Candidates should be able to: i. examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the policies employed by the colonial masters and the magnitude of African discontent; ii. assess the impact of the First and Second World Wars on African nationalism, iii. determine the strategies used in the attainment of independence. Candidates should be able to: i. trace the origin of apartheid in South Africa; ii. give reasons for the rise of Afrikaner nationalism; iii. evaluate apartheid laws; iv. relate the internal reactions to apartheid to the African struggle for majority rule; v. relate the contributions of African states and international organizations to the fight against apartheid; vi. identify the steps taken towards the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa vii. assess the post-apartheid development in South Africa. Candidates should be able to: i. examine the political and economic problems faced by assess the effects of natural disasters on Africa iii. determine the role of ethnic and religious problems in African; iv. examine the role of the military in African politics; v. examine the role of neo-colonialism in Africa; vi. assess the problems of boundary disputes; vii. establish the relationship between civil wars and refugee problems in Africa | |
Asides The Use of English, each question in the remaining 3 subjects is graded 2.5 marks. Hence, the three subjects carry 300 marks. For example: If you get 28 questions right in your history exam, the calculation will be 28 x 2.5 = 70% (in percentage).
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam is a two-hour exam. You are expected to complete all 4 subjects within the stipulated time
Practice! Practice and more practice!!!. Study past questions daily. Go through the syllabus and read every single topic under it.
to prepare for JAMB History, study the recommended syllabus provided by JAMB, review textbooks and study past questions. You can equally attend tutorials if necessary so you can interact and learn from others.
There is no official pass mark, but scores above 50 are considered good. However, ensure to score as high as you can. The higher you score, the better your chances of admission for your choice course and institution.
Common mistakes people make at JAMB include inadequate time management, zero knowledge of how to operate a computer and not studying their past questions or even reading the syllabus. Most candidates just read their school notes forgetting that JAMB Is not organized by their school. You can avoid these mistakes by studying the syllabus as well as past questions, improving your time management skills, and seeking clarification on unclear concepts.
You will be tasked to answer 40 questions.
Not at all. You can read and ace your exams yourself. All you need to do is to have a consistent reading habit.
However, tutorials can also help you prepare better, connect with your peers, and gauge your confidence levels.
