JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2026/2027

By: AKANDE WASIU

JUNE 25, 2025 - 05:31 AM

If you’re preparing for the JAMB History exam in 2026/2027, having the right textbooks is very helpful. These books cover the important events, figures, and ideas that have shaped Africa and the world, and they follow the JAMB syllabus closely. Studying from these books will help you understand the key historical events and themes that are often tested in the JAMB exam.

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Below is a list of the recommended textbooks for History, along with some brief information on why each book is useful for JAMB History students.

Why Use These Recommended Textbooks?

The authors of these textbooks are experts in African and world history. The books explain historical events and people in simple, clear language, which makes learning easy. By using these books, you can learn about important periods and people in history without struggling to understand complex words or ideas. Each book breaks down major topics into understandable parts, so you can study them one by one.

JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2026/2027

S/No Author(s) Year Title Publisher/Location
1 Abba, A. 2006 The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano Kaduna: Vanguard and Publishers
2 Ayandele, A. E. et al. 1986 The Making of Modern Africa, The Twentieth Century Vol 2 Longman
3 Ajayi and Crowther 1971 History of West Africa Vol. I London: Longman
4 Ajayi and Crowther 1974 History of West Africa Vol. II London: Longman
5 Akinloye, S. A. 1976 Emergent African States: Topics in Twentieth Century African History Longman
6 Akinyemi, A. B., Agbi, S. O., and Otunbanjo, A. O. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years (International Relations) Vol x Ibadan: Heinemann
7 Anene, J. C., and Brown, G. 1966 African in the 19th and 20th Centuries Ibadan: University Press
8 Anene, J. C. 1966 Southern Nigeria in Transition, 1885 – 1906 Cambridge: University Press
9 Anene, J. C., and Brown, G. (eds) 1972 African in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: A Handbook for Teachers and Students Ibadan: University Press and Nelson
10 Ashiwaju, A. I., Croder, M., and Denzer, I. R. (eds) – Tariki 25, Grassroots Leadership in Colonial West Africa, Vol. 7 London: Longman
11 Atanda, J. A., Ashiwaju, G., and Abubakar, Y. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First Years: Religion Vol. i Ibadan: Heinemann
12 Barkindo, B. et al. 1989 Africa and the Wider World, Vol. 1 Lagos: Longman
13 Barkindo, B. et al. 1996 Africa and the Wider World, Vols. 2 and 3 Lagos: Longman
14 Boahen, A. 1969 The Revolutionary years: Africa since 1800 Longman
15 Boahen, A. 1969 The Revolutionary years: West Africa since 1800 Longman
16 Celeman, J. S. 1986 Nigeria: Background to Nationalism Benin: Broburg and Wistrom
17 Clerk, T. A. 1991 Right Honourable Gentleman: The Life and Times of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Zaria: Hudahuda Publishing Company
18 Cohen, D. I., and Daniel, J. (eds) 1981 Political Economy of Africa: Selected Readings London: Longman
19 Crowther, M. 1977 West Africa: An introduction to its History London: Longman
20 Crowther, M. 1979 Nigeria: An introduction to its History London: Longman
21 Dike, K. O. 1956 Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta London: Oxford University Press
22 Ekeh, P. P., and Ashiwaju, G. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years: Culture, Vol. VII Ibadan: Heinemann
23 Falola, T. et al. 1989 History of Nigeria Vol. I Lagos: Longman
24 Falola, T. et al. 1989 History of Nigeria Vols. 2 and 3 Lagos: Longman
25 Gboyega, A., Abubakar, Y., and Aliyu, Y. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years Public Administration, Vol. III Ibadan: Heinemann
26 Hallet, R. 1975 Africa since 1875 Ibadan: Heinemann
27 Hopkins, A. G. 1973 An Economic History of West Africa London: Longman
28 Ikime, O., and Osoba, S. O. (eds) – Tarikh: Independence Movement in Africa (Part I), Vol. 3, No. 4 London: Longman
29 Ikime, O., and Osoba, S. O. (eds) – Tarikh: Government in Pre-Colonial Africa, Vol. 4, No. 2 London: Longman
30 Ikime, O., and Osoba, S. O. (eds) – Peoples and Kingdoms of West Africa in the Pre-colonial Period, Vol. 5, No. 1 London: Longman
31 Ikime, O., and Osoba, S. O. (eds) – Tarikh: Europeans Conquest and African Resistance (Part 2), Vol. 4 London: Longman
32 Ikime, O. 1977 The Fall of Nigeria: The British Conquest London: Heinemann
33 Ikime, O. (ed) 1974 Leadership in 19th Century Africa: Essays from Tarikh London: Longman
34 Ikime, O. 1968 Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta London: Heinemann
35 Ikime, O. (ed) 1980 Groundwork of Nigerian History Ibadan: Heinemann
36 Iseihei, E. 1983 A History of Nigeria London: Longman
37 Jorre, J. D. 1972 The Nigeria Civil War London: Hordder and Stoughton
38 Kani, A. M., and Gandi, K. 1990 A State and Society in the Sokoto Caliphate, Series I Sokoto: Usman Danfodio University
39 Mahdi, A., Kwanashei, G. A., and Yakubu, M. (eds) 1994 Nigeria: The State of the Nation and the Way Forward Kaduna: Arewa House
40 Martin, P. M., and Omera, P. (eds) 1995 Africa (Third Edition) Bloomington: Indiana University Press
41 Mohammed, B. 1982 Africa and Non-alignment: A Study in the Foreign Relations of New Nations Kano: Triumph Publishers
42 Mohammed, A. S., and Adamu, S. (eds) 2005 Nigeria and the Reform of the United Nations Zaria: Hanwa
43 Nzula, A. T., Potekhin, and Zusmanovich 1979 Forced Labour in Colonial Africa London: Zed Press
44 Offiong, D. A. 1980 Imperialism and Dependency: Obstacles to Development Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers
45 Ojigbo, O. 1982 Shehu Shagari: The Biography of Nigeria’s First Executive President Yugoslavia: Mlandiska Knjiga
46 Okafor, I. 1989 History for Senior Secondary Schools Onitsha: Jet Publishers
47 Oliver, T., and Afmore, A. 1996 Africa since 1880 (Fourth Edition) New York: Cambridge University Press
48 Olusanya, G. O. 1973 The Second World War and Politics in Nigeria, 1939 – 1953 Ibadan: Evans
49 Omar, O. 1966 The Zulu Aftermath: A Nineteenth-Century Revolution in Bantu Africa London: Longman
50 Omolewa, M. 1986 Certificate History of Nigeria Lagos: Longman
51 Onoja, I. 1998 Peace-keeping and International Security in a Changing World Jos: Mono Expressions
52 Onwubiko, K. 1983 School Certificate History of West Africa Onitsha: African-First Publishers
53 Tamuno, T. N., and Atanda, A. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years Vol. III Ibadan: Heinemann
54 Tamuno, T. N., and Atanda, J. A. M. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years (Government and Public Policy), Vol. IV Ibadan: Heinemann
55 Tamuno, T. N., and Ukpabi, S. C. (eds) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years (The Civil War years), Vol. IV Ibadan: Heinemann
56 Thompson, L. A. 2000 History of South Africa Yale: Yale University Press
57 Usman, Y. B. (ed) 1979 Studies in the History of Sokoto Caliphate New York: Third Press International
58 Usman, Y. B. (ed) 1981 The Transformation of Katsina, 1400 – 1883 Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press
59 Usman, Y. B., and Alkali, M. N. (eds) 1983 Studies in the History of Pre-Colonial Borno Zaria: NNPC
60 Usman, Y. B., and Kwanashei, G. A. (eds) – Inside Nigeria History 1950-1970: Events: Issues and Sources University of Ibadan
61 Usman, Y. B. (ed) 1989 Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years: The Society Vol. I Ibadan: Heinemann
62 Usman, Y. B. 2002 Election Violence in Nigeria: The Terrible Experience, 1952 – 2002 Zaria: Abdullahi Smith Centre for Historical Research
63 Webster, J. B., and Ikime, O. (eds) – Tarikh: Early African Christianity, Vol. 2. No. 1 London: Longman
64 Wilmot, P. F. 1980 Apartheid and African Liberation: The Grief and the Hope Ife: University of Ife Press
65 Yakubu, A. M., Jumare, I., and Saeed, A. G. (eds) 2005 Northern Nigeria: A century of Transformation, 1903 – 2003 Kaduna: Arewa House
66 Yakubu, A. M. 2006 Emirs and Politicians: Reform, Reactions and Recrimination in Northern Nigeria, 1950 – 1966 Kaduna: Baraka Publishers
JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2026/2027

Overview of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2026/2027

  1. The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano by Abba, A.
    This book dives into the life and politics of Mallam Aminu Kano, a key figure in Nigerian political history. It covers his contributions to Nigeria and is especially useful for students interested in the political history of Nigeria.
  2. The Making of Modern Africa, The Twentieth Century Vol 2 by Ayandele, A. E. et al
    This book covers Africa’s journey through the 20th century, touching on independence movements and the shaping of African nations. It’s a great resource for understanding the modern history of Africa.
  3. History of West Africa Vol. I & II by Ajayi and Crowther
    These two volumes are essential for students learning about West Africa’s history. They cover pre-colonial times, the colonial period, and independence. Both books offer a full view of West African history.
  4. Emergent African States: Topics in Twentieth Century African History by Akinloye, S. A.
    This book focuses on the emergence of African nations in the 20th century, examining topics such as independence movements and the struggles of new African states. It’s ideal for students studying African nationalism and the growth of new nations.
  5. Nigeria since Independence: The First 25 Years (International Relations) Vol x by Akinyemi, A. B., Agbi, S. O., and Otunbanjo, A. O.
    This book looks at Nigeria’s international relationships in its first 25 years after independence. It’s a valuable resource for students wanting to learn about Nigeria’s place in the global world.
  6. African in the 19th and 20th Centuries by Anene J. C. and Brown, G.
    This book discusses African history across the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on major events, changes, and conflicts. It’s very useful for understanding Africa’s place in modern world history.
  7. Southern Nigeria in Transition, 1885 – 1906 by Anene J. C.
    This book examines a key period in Nigeria’s history, showing the changes in Southern Nigeria during the colonial period. It provides insights into colonial policies and their effects on Nigerian society.
  8. Africa in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: A Handbook for Teachers and Students by Anene, J. C. and Brown, G.
    Aimed at both teachers and students, this book covers African history in a clear and straightforward way. It’s a good guide for those who need a general overview of African history in the modern era.
  9. Tariki 25, Grassroots Leadership in Colonial West Africa by Ashiwaju A. I., Croder, M., and Denzer, I. R.
    This book explores leadership at the local level in colonial West Africa, highlighting the role of grassroots leaders. It’s useful for students who want to understand leadership beyond national politics.
  10. Nigeria since Independence: The First Years: Religion Vol. i by Atanda, J. A., Ashiwaju, G., and Abubakar, Y.
    This book focuses on religious changes in Nigeria’s early years of independence. It’s helpful for understanding the role of religion in Nigerian society and politics.

Conclusion

These recommended textbooks cover all the important areas that JAMB History students need to study. By using these books, students can get a full understanding of Africa’s history, Nigeria’s growth, and the wider events that shaped the world. They provide detailed information, examples, and easy explanations, making them helpful for studying and revising for JAMB History. Use these textbooks to guide your preparation, and you’ll be ready to tackle the History exam with confidence.

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