JAMB Syllabus for Art 2025/2026 | PDF Download

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently released the syllabus for Art for the academic year 2025/2026.

This strategic initiative aims to facilitate students’ preparation for the upcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Objectives of JAMB Syllabus for Art

The JAMB syllabus for Art aims to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination and to test candidates’ understanding, knowledge, and acquisition. Its objectives are:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic elements, principles, and terminology of art.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the historical aspects of art with an emphasis on Egyptian and Nigerian art.
• Demonstrate knowledge of artistic techniques, processes, use of materials, and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Demonstrates an aesthetic sensitivity to the environment and a knowledge of the meaning and function of art in society.

Topics Under JAMB Art Syllabus

Topics Covered in JAMB Syllabus for Art are divided into five sections.

Section A

The JAMB syllabus for Art Section A covers the following topics:

Classification of Arts

• Visual Arts (Fine and Applied Arts) 
• Performing Arts (Music, Dance, and Drama) 
• Literary Arts (Poetry, Prose, Recitals), etc

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Differentiate between the three branches of art.

Elements and Principles of Design

• Elements: line, color, shape, form, texture, tone, value, space, etc.
• Principles – balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, contrast, repetition, dominance, variety, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify the elements of design.
• Analyze the principles of design.

Art Terms

Pigments, motif, greenware, armature, silhouette, chiaroscuro, cireperdue, terracotta etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify art terms;
• Link the terms to the areas of their art;
• Use the terms in analyzing artworks.

Section B

The JAMB syllabus for Arts Section B covers the following topics:

Historical Dimensions of Art

• Prehistoric, Greek, and Roman Art
• Medieval Art: architecture, surface decorations, and calligraphy
• Renaissance Art and Artists – Giotto Di Bondone, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael (Raffaello Santi)
• 19th and 20th Century art movements – Impressionism, Realism, Futurism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Pop art, Abstract Expressionism, and Fauvism.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Compare their materials, styles, and techniques.
• Classify the periods and styles emphasizing architecture, surface decoration, and calligraphy.
• Compare the artists, their works, and their styles.
• Differentiate between the various art movements.
• Analyze their styles, techniques, innovations, and influences.

Traditional African Arts

Egypt, Ashanti, Dogon, Mossi, Fon, Senufo, Bambara, Mende, Kissi, Bamileke and Bakumba.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Classify works in terms of style, materials, and locations.

Traditional Nigerian Art

Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Igala, Jukun, Akwashi, and Mbari.

Objectives

• Classify works in terms of style, materials, and locations.

Nigerian Crafts

Pottery, woodwork, cloth-weaving, carving, leather, metal, beadwork, body decoration, mat, and cane weaving.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Dissect the works in terms of functions, characteristics, and locations;
• Trace the origins, locations, and styles.

Development in Nigeria Contemporary Arts and Artists

• Art Schools: Zaria, Nsukka, Osogbo group, etc.
• Nigerian artists and art educators (Ben Enwonwu, S. I. Wangboje, Jimoh Akolo, Dele Jegede, etc.)
• Museums, galleries, and art centers;
• Art institutions, cultural art centers, national art organizations – Nigerian Society for Education through Arts (NSEA), National Council for Arts and Culture (N.C.A.C), etc.
• Major Festivals: Argungu Fishing Festival, Egungun, Iri-ji (New Yam), Durbar, Igue, Ekpo, Odo, etc.

Objectives

• Decide the influence of the art schools and groups;
• Assess the artists in terms of their works, specializations, techniques, and styles; 
• Analyze the functions of museums, galleries, art centers, and art institutions; 
• Evaluate their impact on the development of art;
• Assess their roles and functions;
• Examine the impact of major festivals on art and culture.

Section C

The JAMB syllabus for Arts Section C covers the following topics:

Artistic Skills, Techniques, and Processes

• Two-Dimensional Art: drawing, painting, graphics, and textile design.
• Perspective: Linear, angular, aerial, parallel, etc.
• Perspective terms: foreground, picture plane, eye level, vanishing point, foreshortening, optical illusion, depth, etc.
• Sculpture, Ceramics, Crafts,
• Computer Graphics: CorelDraw

Objectives

Candidates should be conversant with the following:

• The techniques, skills, and processes with emphasis on tone, composition, and color application;
• The types of perspective;
• The use of perspective rules and terms;
• Techniques, skills, and processes;
• The basic tools of design.

Tools, Materials, and Equipment

• Two-Dimensional Art Tools: brushes, lino cutters, drawing instruments, calligraphic pens, sharpeners, etc.
• Two-dimensional Art Materials: pencils, charcoal, pastel, crayon, fixative, fabric, dyes, lino, wood blocks, etc.
• Two-Dimensional Art Equipment: air compressor, spray gun, enlarger, computer, etc.
• Improvisation of tools, materials, and equipment
• Two-Dimensional Art: colors, brushes, calligraphic pens, etc.
• Three-Dimensional Art: spatula, kiln, beater, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Maintain tools and art materials;
• Utilize art materials and tools;
• Operate and maintain art equipment;
• Improvise alternatives.

Section D

The JAMB syllabus for Art Section D covers the following topics:

Art Appreciation

• Manufactured objects: architecture, sculpture, etc.
• Natural phenomena: Zuma Rock, Ikogosi Warm Springs, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Appreciate the aesthetic qualities of natural and manufactured aesthetic phenomena in the Nigerian environment.
• Differentiate between natural and manufactured aesthetic phenomena.

Meaning and Functions of Art in the Society

• What art is
• Roles of art in society: religious, social, cultural, political, therapeutic, and economic needs,
• Functions of art in media: advertisement, education, recreation, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Examine the meaning and functions of art;
• Use art to enhance societal values;
• Assess the role of art in media.

Art Entrepreneurship

Job prospects in Visual Arts: Ceramist, Curator, Textile designer, Industrial designer, Sculptor, Photographer, Cartoonist, Illustrator, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Identify job opportunities in visual arts.

PDF Download of JAMB Syllabus for Art 2025/2026

You can now download the JAMB Art syllabus as you prepare for your exams.

Conclusion

The JAMB syllabus for Art is important as it helps you focus on topics to read as you prepare for forthcoming JAMB exams.

You cannot be assured that 99% of the questions set during the examinations will be obtained from the syllabus.

Ensure you download the syllabus pdf file on the post. Also, share this post with your friends to help them pass their exams exceptionally.