Use of English is compulsory for every JAMB candidate regardless of your course or faculty. It is also one of the subjects where candidates lose the most marks, not because the topics are hard, but because many students underestimate it and study without a clear structure.
This page gives you the complete list of English textbooks for JAMB recommended by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for UTME candidates. These books cover the core Use of English topics in the official syllabus including grammar, comprehension, oral English, lexis and structure, and the literary texts set for this year.
Use of English in JAMB is split between language and literature. The list below includes both grammar-focused textbooks and the set literary texts for this exam cycle. Make sure you are preparing for both sections and not focusing only on grammar.
You can also check the complete list of JAMB recommended textbooks for all subjects to see the books approved for Mathematics, Biology, Economics, Government, and other UTME subjects.
Take note.
Other textbooks that are not on this list are also good to have and study.
But these JAMB English textbooks have been confirmed by JAMB to contain quality explanations on all the topics in the JAMB ENGLISH SYLLABUS.
Table of Contents
List of Recommended English Textbooks for JAMB
Click on any of the textbooks listed below to purchase it online and have it in a few days delivered to wherever you are.
- BURIED BENEATH THE BAOBAB TREE — Nwaubani, A. T. (2019).
- CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY — Daniel Jones (2011).
- CATCH-UP ENGLISH FOR SSCE / UME — Ukwuegbu, C., Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O. (2002).
- COMMON ERRORS IN ENGLISH — Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1989).
- COUNTDOWN ENGLISH (REVISED EDITION) — Ogunsanwo, O., Duruaku, A. B. C., Ezechukwu, J. and Nwachukwu, U. I. (2005).
- DEFEND THE DEFENSELESS — Carrington, A. (2017).
- ENGLISH LEXIS AND STRUCTURE FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (REVISED EDITION) — Bamgbose, A. (2002).
- ESSENTIAL ORAL ENGLISH FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES — Caesar, O. J. (2003).
- GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION IN THE G.S.M. AGE — Igiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O. (2010).
- HOPE IN ANARCHY — Adamu K.U. (2010).
- INTENSIVE ENGLISH FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (3) — Oluikpe, B. O. A., Nnaemeka, B. A., Obah, T. Y., Otagburuagu, E. J., Onuigbo, S. and Ogbonna, E. A. (1998).
- MASTERING ENGLISH USAGE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS — Egbe, D. I. (1996).
- NEW ORFORD SECONDARY ENGLISH COURSE BOOK (6) FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS — Banjo, A. et al (2004).
- OBJECTIVE TESTS FOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE ENGLISH: PRACTICE IN LEXIS, STRUCTURE AND IDIOM (REPRINTED EDITION) — Tomori, S. H. O. (2000).
- ORAL ENGLISH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES — Idris, U. (2001).
- ORAL ENGLISH FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES — Elugbe, B. (2000).
- ORAL ENGLISH FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: A TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACH — Jauro, L. B. (2013).
- PRACTICE IN SPOKEN ENGLISH FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEARNERS — Attah, M. O. (2013).
- ROUND-UP ENGLISH: A COMPLETE GUIDE — Idowu, O. O., Sogbesan, T. S., Adofo, A. K., Burgess, D. F. and Burgess, L. J. (1998).
- SENIOR ENGLISH PROJECT 3 (NEW EDITION) — Grant, N. J. H., Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1998).
- STRANGE ENCOUNTERS — Okediran W. (2019).
- THE SILENT TEACHER — Olatoye, S. (2006).
- THE VILLAGE TRADESMAN — Adamu, K. U. (2009).
- UNIVERSITY MATRICULATION USE OF ENGLISH (4TH EDITION) — Obinna, M. F. (2001).
Source: JAMB IBASS
How to Use These JAMB English Textbooks Effectively
Before you open any textbook, check the JAMB Use of English syllabus first. It tells you exactly which topics carry the most weight in the exam so you can prioritise your reading instead of treating every chapter as equally important.
Once you know what to focus on, combine your textbook reading with JAMB Use of English past questions. Reading alone is not enough. Practicing past questions shows you how JAMB frames their questions and helps you spot the patterns that repeat across exam years.
Take short notes as you study. Grammar rules, vocabulary lists, and comprehension techniques are easier to revise from your own notes than from flipping back through a full textbook. Spend at least 30 to 60 minutes daily on English, and at the end of every topic, test yourself with related past questions to measure how well you have absorbed the material.
How to get these JAMB English textbooks
There are three straightforward ways to get any of the English textbooks for JAMB listed above.
The most direct option is visiting a nearby bookstore. Walk in and ask for the specific title and author you want. English textbooks are among the most commonly stocked JAMB materials in Nigerian educational bookstores because Use of English is compulsory for all candidates.
If there are no bookstores near you or you prefer home delivery, click any of the linked titles above to purchase online. Orders are typically delivered within a few days depending on your location in Nigeria.
You can also check your school library or borrow from a classmate who already has one of the books. For the literary texts on the list, many secondary school libraries already stock them since they are widely used in English classes.
Remember. These JAMB English textbooks are only “recommended” not compulsory.
Other English textbooks (not on the above list) are good too. As long as they also contain good explanations to the JAMB English topics.
Download the list of JAMB English textbooks PDF
Click on the button below to start your instant download of the PDF list of best English textbooks for JAMB this year.
Frequently Asked Questions on English Textbooks for JAMB
What are the recommended English textbooks for JAMB?
The recommended English textbooks for JAMB are the books officially approved by JAMB and listed in full on this page. Among the most widely used grammar and language titles are Countdown English by Ogunsanwo et al., Round-Up English by Idowu et al., and English Lexis and Structure by Bamgbose. For oral English, Essential Oral English by Caesar and Oral English for Schools and Colleges by Elugbe are popular choices. The list also includes literary texts like Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, Strange Encounters, and The Village Tradesman which are part of the Use of English examination for this cycle. Make sure your preparation covers both the language and literature components.
Are JAMB English textbooks compulsory?
No, they are not compulsory. JAMB recommends these books because they align with the official Use of English syllabus, but you are free to study from other English textbooks as long as they cover grammar, comprehension, oral English, and the set literary texts. The literary texts however are specific to each exam cycle. You must study the exact novels and texts listed by JAMB for your exam year, so do not substitute those with alternatives.
Can I pass JAMB without these textbooks?
Yes, you can. Many candidates pass JAMB English using other good grammar textbooks alongside consistent past question practice and the official syllabus. However, studying from the recommended English textbooks for JAMB gives you a structured advantage because the content is already aligned with what JAMB tests. The literary texts on the list are not optional in that sense since JAMB sets specific questions on them. For everything else, focus on the syllabus, practice past questions, and use whichever textbook explains the concepts most clearly to you.
Conclusion
Choosing the right English textbooks for JAMB gives your preparation direction and keeps you focused on what the exam actually tests. Use of English is compulsory for every candidate, which means your performance in this subject directly affects your total JAMB score regardless of what faculty you are applying to.
Study from one or two strong grammar titles, make sure you cover all the set literary texts for this exam cycle, and practice consistently with past questions. That combination is what produces high scores in JAMB Use of English.
If you have questions about any of the textbooks listed or need help choosing the right ones for your level, drop a comment below and we will respond as quickly as possible.