The JAMB recommended English novel for the 2026 UTME has officially been announced, and candidates who are preparing for the examination need to know the book they are expected to read.
You are currently reading about the novel JAMB will use for the 2027 UTME examination. Many students have been searching online for this information or asking questions such as: What novel are we reading for JAMB 2027? Is The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba still the recommended novel? Does JAMB give candidates a copy of the novel?
Nkedugists has put together the important information you need to know before going ahead with your preparation.
Before you continue, here are some of the questions candidates usually ask about the JAMB recommended novel:
- JAMB Recommended Novel for 2027
- JAMB 2027 Use of English Recommended Novel
- What Novel Is JAMB Using for 2027 UTME?
- JAMB 2027 English Novel and Author
- Recommended JAMB Novel for All UTME Candidates
Which Novel Is JAMB Using for 2027 UTME?
Candidates asking about the JAMB novel for the 2027 UTME should take note that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba as the recommended reading text for the Use of English examination.
This is the novel candidates are expected to read for the 2027 UTME, irrespective of their chosen course or programme.
The new recommended novel replaced The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli, which was used in previous JAMB examinations.
So, if you are still preparing with The Life Changer for the 2026 examination, you need to get the new recommended novel instead.
JAMB Recommended Novel for 2027: Title and Author
Below are the details of the approved JAMB reading text for the 2026 UTME.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Novel title | The Lekki Headmaster |
| Author | Kabir Alabi Garba |
| Examination | 2027 UTME |
| Subject | Use of English |
| Candidates required to read it | All UTME candidates |
JAMB also included the novel in its official 2027 UTME guidelines, stating that candidates would be tested on the general reading text regardless of their choice of programme.
Do JAMB Science Candidates Answer Novel Questions in the UTME?
Yes. All JAMB candidates are expected to answer questions from the recommended reading text because Use of English is compulsory for every UTME candidate.
It does not matter whether you are applying to study Medicine, Engineering, Law, Accounting, Mass Communication or any other course. You are still expected to write Use of English alongside your other three subjects.
This means science, commercial and arts candidates should all read The Lekki Headmaster before their examination.
You can also read our article on How Many Hours Is JAMB Exam? to understand the examination duration.
How Many Questions Will JAMB Set From The Lekki Headmaster?
According to the JAMB Use of English syllabus, the reading text section contains 10 questions out of the 60 questions in the Use of English examination.
This is why candidates should not ignore the recommended novel while preparing for JAMB. Reading the book properly will help you become familiar with the characters, events and other important details that may be tested.
Do not depend entirely on a summary. Try to read the complete novel so that you can understand the story and remember important events.
Does JAMB Give Candidates the Recommended Novel?
Yes. According to the 2026 JAMB examination manual, candidates are to collect a copy of the reading text after completing their registration.
The reading text was also included in the 2027 registration fee breakdown. Candidates should collect their copy from the accredited CBT centre where they registered.
If you registered for the examination but were not given the book, contact your registration centre for clarification.
Is The Lekki Headmaster Hard or Easy to Read?
Is not hard because the novel is not boring. My advice is to start reading early rather than waiting until the examination is close. Pay attention to the characters, their roles, important events and the lessons in the story.
You can also use revision notes to refresh your memory after reading the complete book. Understanding a novel depends on the individual reading and comprehension ability of each candidate. Some students may find it easy to understand, while others may need more time to follow the story.
Which JAMB Novel Is Easier Between The Last Days at Forcados High School, Sweet Sixteen, In Dependence and The Life Changer?
These are novels that appeared in earlier JAMB examination years, but they are not the recommended reading text for the 2026 UTME.
| JAMB novel | Author | Year(s) used by JAMB | Reading difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Days at Forcados High School | A. H. Mohammed | 2015–2016 | Easy |
| In Dependence | Sarah Ladipo Manyika | 2017–2018 | Difficult |
| Sweet Sixteen | Bolaji Abdullahi | 2019–2020 | Very easy |
| The Life Changer | Khadija Abubakar Jalli | 2021–2024 | Easy |
For candidates preparing for the 2026 examination, the important book to concentrate on is The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba.
Whether one of the older novels is easier than another depends on the reader. However, there is little reason to spend your preparation time comparing previous JAMB novels when the Board has already announced the reading text for your examination year.
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How Many Marks Does the JAMB Recommended Novel Carry?
JAMB’s Use of English syllabus provides for 10 questions from the recommended reading text. However, the syllabus does not specify a separate official mark value for each novel question.
Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unverified claims about how many marks each question carries. The best thing you can do is prepare properly and try to answer all the questions correctly.
We hope this information has answered your questions about the JAMB recommended novel for 2026. If you have any other questions, kindly drop them in the comment section below.
Recommended 2027 Jamb Literature For all Jamb Candidates:
Which of the Jamb literature Novel is more simple between The Last Days at Forcados High School or Sweet sixteen or Independence or The Life Changer by Jamb? As for me I think is The Last Days at Forcados High School which author is A.H. Mohammed.
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2 Comments
Normal thing
Nice one. Interesting!