JAMB Syllabus for Geography 2025/2026

A. Maps

B. Scale and measurement of distances,
areas reduction and enlargement, directions, bearings and gradients with reference to topographical maps.

C. Map reading and interpretation; drawing of cross profiles, recognition of indivisibility, recognition and description of physical and human features and relationship as depicted on topographical maps

D. Interpretation of statistical data; maps and diagrams

E. Elementary Surveying; chain and prismatic, open and close traverse, procedure, problems, advantages and disadvantages.

F. Geographic Information System (GIS):
components, techniques, data sources, applications

Ai. define and identify different types and uses of maps

Bi. apply the different types of scale to
distances and area measurement;
ii. understand conversion of scales
iii. apply the knowledge of scale to gradients, map reduction and enlargement;
iv. apply the knowledge of directions and
bearings to geographical features.

Ci. illustrate the relief of an area
through profile drawing;
ii. interpret physical and human features from topographical maps.

Di. Compute quantitative information from statistical data, diagrams and maps,
ii. interpret statistical data, diagrams and maps.

Ei. analyze the principle and procedure of each technique;
ii. compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques.

Fi. understand GIS and its uses.
ii. understand the basic concepts and
components;
iii. express locations through the use of
latitudes, longitudes, zipcodes etc;
iv. understand land surveying, remote sensing, map digitizing, map scanning as sources of data;
v. explain areas of use: Defense, Agriculture, Rural Development etc;
vi. identify problems with GIS in Nigeria.

A The earth as a planet

i. The earth in the solar system, rotation and revolution;
ii. The shape and size of the earth
iii. Latitudes and distances, longitudes and time;

B The Earth Crust

i. The structure of the earth (internal and external) Relationships among the four spheres.
ii. Rocks: Types, characteristics, modes of
formation and uses
iii. Earth’s movement: Tectonic forces
iv. Major Landforms: Mountains, Plateau,
Plains, Coastal landforms, karst topography and desert landforms

C. Volcanism and Earthquakes

i. Landforms associated with volcanic
activities
ii. Landforms of Igneous Rocks
iii. Origin and types of Volcanoes
iv. Some volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

D. Denudation processes in the tropics

i. Weathering
ii. Erosion
iii. Mass movement
iv. Deposition

E. Water Bodies

i. Oceans and seas (world distribution,
salinity and uses)
ii. Ocean currents: types, distribution, causes and effects;
iii. Lakes: types, distribution and uses.
iv. Rivers: Action of running water.

F. Weather and Climate

i. Concept of weather and climate
ii. Elements of weather and climate
iii. Factors controlling weather and climate
(pressure, air mass, altitude, continentality
and winds)
iv. Classification of climate (Greek and Koppen).
v. Major climate types (Koppen), their
characteristics and distribution.
vi. Measuring and recording weather
parameters and instruments used.
vii. The basic science of climate change.

G. Vegetation

i. Factors controlling growth of plants
ii. The concept of vegetation e.g. plant
communities and succession
iii. Major types of vegetation, their
characteristics and distribution,
iv. Impact of human activities on vegetation.

H. Soil

i. Definition and properties
ii. Factors and processes of formation
iii. Soil profiles
iv. Major tropical types, their characteristics, distribution and uses;
v. Impact of human activities on soils.

I. Environmental Resources;

i. Types of resources (atmospheric, land,
soil, vegetation and minerals)
ii. The concept of renewable and non-renewable resources;

J. Environmental interaction:

i. Land ecosystem
ii. Environmental balance and human
interaction
iii. Effects of human activities on land
ecosystem

K. Environmental hazards:

i. Natural hazards (droughts, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, flooding)
ii. Man-induced (soil erosion, deforestation, pollution, flooding and desertification)

L. Environmental Conservation:

Ai. identify the relative positions of the planets in the solar system;
ii. understand the effects of the rotation and revolution of the earth;
iii. provide proof for the shape and size of the earth;
iv. differentiate between latitudes and
longitudes;
v. relate lines of latitude to calculation of
distance;
vi. relate lines of longitude to calculation of time;

Bi. compare the internal and external
components of the earth;
ii. understand the existing relationship among atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere in terms of energy balance and water cycle;
iii. differentiate between major types of rocks and their characteristics;
iv. analyze the processes of rock formation and the resultant features;
v. indicate the uses of rocks;
vi. differentiate between tensional and
compressional forces and the resultant
landforms;
vii. identify and describe the major landforms;

Ci. explain the processes of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes;
ii. describe the different landforms associated with both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes;
iii. give examples of major volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in the world.

Di. identify the agents of denudation (water, wind and waves);
ii. identify the landforms associated with each process and agent.

Ei. locate oceans and seas on the globe;
ii. examine the characteristics and uses of
oceans and seas;
iii. classify the types of ocean currents;
iv. account for the distribution of ocean
currents;
v. evaluate the causes and effects of ocean currents;
vi. identify the types and location of lakes;
vii. indicate the characteristics and uses of lakes;
viii. identify the landforms of the different stages of a river course.

Fi. differentiate between weather and climate;
ii. identify the elements of weather and climate;
iii. identify the factors controlling weather and climate;
iv. compare Koppen’s and Greek’s classifications;
v. identify the major types of climate according to Koppen;
vii. relate the weather instruments to their uses;
viii. define climate change;
ix. understand the causes of climate change;
x. understand the effects and remedies of
climate change.

Gi. trace the factors controlling the growth of plants;
ii. analyze the process of vegetation
development;
iii. identify the types, their characteristics
and distribution;
iv. assess the impact of human activities
on vegetation;
v. identify the importance of vegetation.

Hi. classify soils and their properties;
ii. identify the factors of formation;
iii. differentiate between the different types of soil horizons and their characteristics;
iv. compare the major tropical soil types and uses of soils;
v. account for the distribution and uses of soils;
vi. assess the impact of human activities
on soils.

Ii. interpret the concept of environmental
resources;
ii. relate environmental resources to their
uses;
iii. differentiate between the concepts of
renewable and non-renewable resources.
Ji. identify the components of land
ecosystem;
ii. establish the interrelationship within the ecosystem;
iii. interpret the concept of environmental
balance;
iv. analyze the effects of human activities on land ecosystem.

Ki. identify the natural hazards and their causes;
ii. relate the human-induced hazards to their causes;
iii. locate the major areas where environmental hazards are common and their effects;
iv. recommend possible methods of
prevention and control.

Li. explain with examples environmental
conservation;
ii. identify the resources for conservation;
iii. discuss the different methods of
environmental conservation;
iv. explain the need/importance of
environmental conservation.