JAMB Fine Arts syllabus.

About this syllabus official

Summarised from the examining body's own published syllabus. 13 topics, verified 2026-10-24.

Current UTME syllabus as served by IBASS on 2026-10-24; JAMB does not print the applicable years in this document.

Structure (sections, topics, contents and objectives) summarised from JAMB's publicly published UTME syllabus, with citation and link. The document itself is not reproduced or redistributed.

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/static/media/Artpdf.85197ba4c495458e1ba8.pdf

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/e-syllabus

General objectives

• exhibit knowledge of the fundamental elements, principles and terminologies of art
• show knowledge of historical dimensions of art with emphasis on Nigerian arts and crafts
• demonstrate knowledge of artistic techniques, processes, the use of materials and maintenance of tools and equipment
• display aesthetic awareness of the environment, meaning and functions of art in society

Topics

1. Classification of art (SS 1-3)

• visual arts (fine and applied arts)
• performing arts (music, dance and drama)
• literary arts (poetry, prose, recital etc.)

You should be able to:

• differentiate between the three branches of art

2. Elements and principles of design (SS 1-3)

• elements: line, colour, shape, form, texture, tone, value, space etc.
• principles: balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, contrast, repetition, dominance, variety etc.

You should be able to:

• identify the elements of design with the aid of illustration
• analyze the principles of design with the aid of illustration

3. Art terms (SS 1-3)

• pigments, motif, greenware, armature, silhouette, chiaroscuro, cire-perdue, terra-cotta etc.

You should be able to:

• identify art terms
• link the terms to their areas of art
• use the terms in analyzing artworks

4. Historical dimensions of art (SS 1-3)

• prehistoric, Greek and Roman art
• medieval art: architecture, surface decorations and calligraphy
• Renaissance art and artists: Giotto di Bondone, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael (Raffaello Santi) etc.
• 19th and 20th century art movements: Impressionism, Realism, Futurism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Pop art, Abstract Expressionism and Fauvism

You should be able to:

• compare their materials, styles and techniques
• classify the periods and styles with emphasis on architecture, surface decoration and calligraphy
• compare the artists, their works and styles
• differentiate between the various art movements
• analyze their styles, techniques, innovations and influences

5. Traditional African art (SS 1-3)

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

You should be able to:

• categorize works in terms of style, materials and locations

6. Traditional Nigerian art (SS 1-3)

• Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Esie, Igala, Jukun, Akwanshi and Mbari

You should be able to:

• analyze the works in terms of functions, characteristics and locations

7. Nigerian crafts (SS 1-3)

• pottery, woodworks, cloth-weaving, carving, leather works, metal works, beadworks, body decoration, mat and cane weaving

You should be able to:

• trace the origins, locations and styles

8. Development in contemporary Nigerian arts and artists (SS 1-3)

• art schools: Zaria, Nsukka, Osogbo group etc.
• Nigerian artists and art educators: Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, S. I. Wangboje, Jimoh Akolo, Dele Jegede etc.
• museums, galleries and art centres
• art institutions, cultural art centres, national art organizations: NSEA, SNA, NCAC etc.
• major festivals: Argungu Fishing Festival, Eyo, Egungun, Iri-ji (New Yam), Durbar, Igue, Ekpo, Odo etc.

You should be able to:

• determine the influence of the art schools and groups towards the development of art
• assess the artists in terms of their works, specializations, techniques and styles
• analyze the functions of museums, galleries and art centres
• evaluate the impact of art institutions and organizations on the development of art; assess their roles and functions
• examine the characteristics of major festivals of art and culture

9. Artistic skills, techniques and processes (SS 1-3)

• 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 and crafts
• computer graphics: CorelDraw

You should be able to:

• be conversant with the techniques, skills and processes with emphasis on tone, composition and colour application
• be conversant with the types of perspective
• be conversant with the use of perspective rules and terms
• be conversant with techniques, skills and processes of sculpture, ceramics and crafts
• be conversant with the basic tools of design (computer graphics)

10. Tools, materials and equipment (SS 1-3)

• 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: light table, spray gun, enlarger, computer etc.
• improvisation of tools, materials and equipment: two-dimensional (colours, brushes, calligraphic pens etc.) and three-dimensional (spatula, kiln, beater etc.)

You should be able to:

• maintain art tools
• use art materials
• operate and maintain art equipment
• improvise alternative tools, materials and equipment

11. Art appreciation (SS 1-3)

• man-made objects: architecture, sculpture etc.
• natural phenomena: Zuma Rock, Ikogosi Warm Springs etc.

You should be able to:

• identify the aesthetic qualities of natural and man-made phenomena in the Nigerian environment
• differentiate between natural and man-made aesthetic phenomena

12. Meaning and functions of art in society (SS 1-3)

• functions of art in society: religious, social, cultural, political, therapeutic and economic needs
• functions of art in electronic and print media: advertisement, education, recreation etc.

You should be able to:

• examine the functions of art
• use art to enhance societal values
• assess the role of art in electronic and print media

13. Art entrepreneurship (SS 1-3)

• job prospects in the visual arts: ceramist, curator, textile designer, industrial designer, sculptor, photographer, cartoonist, illustrator etc.

You should be able to:

• identify job opportunities in the visual arts