Choosing the right books can make your study easier. The JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History help you focus on the topics that are expected in the examination. Instead of reading many books that may not help, you can spend your time on trusted textbooks.
I will show you the complete list of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History and explain why these books are worth reading. By the end of this guide, you will know where to begin and how to use these books to improve your understanding of History.
Why You Should Use JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History
The books recommended by JAMB are not picked by chance. They cover many of the topics students are expected to know. Reading them gives you a better understanding of Nigerian History, West African History, African History, and world events that appear in the examination.
Many students ask, “Can I just read my class notes?” The answer is yes, but class notes alone may not explain every topic in detail. A good textbook gives examples, stories, maps, dates, and explanations that make learning easier.
Think about learning the history of the Sokoto Caliphate. A short note may only tell you when it started. A textbook will explain why it started, who led it, what happened during the movement, and why it is still important today. That extra knowledge helps you answer questions with more confidence.
What Are JAMB Recommended Textbooks?
JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History are books officially suggested by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to help candidates prepare for the History examination.
These books cover different areas such as:
- Nigerian History
- West African History
- African History
- Colonial and pre-colonial Africa
- Nationalism
- The Nigerian Civil War
- International Relations
- Economic History
- South African History
You do not have to finish every book before the examination. The thing is, using the books that match your syllabus will make your reading more focused.
How These Books Can Help You Score Higher
Reading the right textbook saves time.
Instead of guessing what to study, you will spend your time learning the topics that are more likely to appear in the examination.
For example, many History questions ask about events, important people, kingdoms, political movements, and independence struggles. The recommended books explain these topics with simple examples and clear details.
Ask yourself this: Would you rather read ten random books or spend your time on books trusted by JAMB?
Most students choose the second option because it helps them prepare better.
Another benefit is that many of these books are written by respected historians and teachers. Their explanations are simple, and they include facts that have helped students for many years.
Reading even one good textbook every week can improve your understanding more than reading many short notes without clear explanations.
Read also: History JAMB Syllabus 2026/2027 Download PDF
Complete List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2027/2028
Below is the complete list of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History. These books cover different parts of the History syllabus, including Nigerian History, West African History, African History, political history, economic history, colonial rule, independence movements, and international relations.
You do not need to buy every book on this list. The thing is, you should choose the ones that cover the topics you want to study first. As you continue reading, you can add more books to your collection.
Full List of Recommended Textbooks for History
| Author | Title |
|---|---|
| Abba, A. (2006) | The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano. Kaduna: Vanguard and Publishers. |
| Ayandele, A. E. et al. (1986) | The Making of Modern Africa, The Twentieth Century, Vol. 2. Longman. |
| Ajayi, J. F. A. and Crowther, M. (1971) | History of West Africa, Vol. I. London: Longman. |
| Ajayi, J. F. A. and Crowther, M. (1974) | History of West Africa, Vol. II. London: Longman. |
| Akinloye, S. A. (1976) | Emergent African States: Topics in Twentieth Century African History. Longman. |
| Akinyemi, A. B., Agbi, S. O. and Otunbanjo, A. O. (1989) | Nigeria Since Independence: The First 25 Years (International Relations), Vol. X. Heinemann. |
| Anene, J. C. and Brown, G. (1966) | Africa in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Ibadan: University Press. |
| Anene, J. C. (1966) | Southern Nigeria in Transition, 1885–1906. Cambridge: University Press. |
| Anene, J. C. and Brown, G. (1972) | Africa in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: A Handbook for Teachers and Students. Ibadan: University Press and Nelson. |
| Ashiwaju, A. I., Crowder, M. and Denzer, I. R. (Eds.) | Tarikh 25: Grassroots Leadership in Colonial West Africa, Vol. 7. Longman. |
| Atanda, J. A., Ashiwaju, A. I. and Abubakar, Y. (1989) | Nigeria Since Independence: The First 25 Years (Religion), Vol. I. Heinemann. |
| Barkindo, B. et al. (1989) | Africa and the Wider World, Vol. I. Longman. |
| Barkindo, B. et al. (1996) | Africa and the Wider World, Vols. II and III. Longman. |
| Boahen, A. (1969) | The Revolutionary Years: Africa Since 1800. Longman. |
| Boahen, A. (1969) | The Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800. Longman. |
| Arewa House | Sokoto Caliphate: History and Legacies, 1804–2004, Vols. I and II. |
| Coleman, J. S. (1986) | Nigeria: Background to Nationalism. Benin: Broburg and Wistrom. |
| Clerk, T. A. (1991) | Right Honourable Gentleman: The Life and Times of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Zaria: Hudahuda Publishing Company. |
| Cohen, D. I. and Daniel, J. (1981) | Political Economy of Africa: Selected Readings. Longman. |
| Crowther, M. (1977) | West Africa: An Introduction to Its History. Longman. |
| Crowther, M. (1979) | Nigeria: An Introduction to Its History. Longman. |
| Dike, K. O. (1956) | Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta. Oxford University Press. |
| Ekeh, P. P. and Ashiwaju, A. I. (1989) | Nigeria Since Independence: The First 25 Years (Culture), Vol. VII. Heinemann. |
| Falola, T. et al. (1989) | History of Nigeria, Vols. I, II and III. Longman. |
| Gboyega, A., Abubakar, Y. and Aliyu, Y. (1989) | Nigeria Since Independence: The First 25 Years (Public Administration), Vol. III. Heinemann. |
| Hallet, R. (1975) | Africa Since 1875. Heinemann. |
| Hopkins, A. G. (1973) | An Economic History of West Africa. Longman. |
| Ikime, O. and Osoba, S. O. (Eds.) | Tarikh series covering Independence Movements, Government in Pre-Colonial Africa, Peoples and Kingdoms of West Africa, and European Conquest and African Resistance. |
| Ikime, O. (1977) | The Fall of Nigeria: The British Conquest. Heinemann. |
| Ikime, O. (1974) | Leadership in 19th Century Africa. Longman. |
| Ikime, O. (1968) | Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta. Heinemann. |
| Ikime, O. (1980) | Groundwork of Nigerian History. Heinemann. |
| Isichei, E. (1983) | A History of Nigeria. Longman. |
| Jorre, J. D. (1972) | The Nigerian Civil War. Hodder and Stoughton. |
| Kani, A. M. and Gandi, K. (1990) | State and Society in the Sokoto Caliphate. Usman Danfodio University. |
| Mahdi, A., Kwanashei, G. A. and Yakubu, M. (1994) | Nigeria: The State of the Nation and the Way Forward. Arewa House. |
| Martin, P. M. and O’Meara, P. (1995) | Africa (Third Edition). Indiana University Press. |
| Mohammed, B. (1982) | Africa and Non-alignment. Triumph Publishers. |
| Mohammed, A. S. and Adamu, S. (2005) | Nigeria and the Reform of the United Nations. Hanwa. |
| Nzula, A. T., Potekhin and Zusmanovich (1979) | Forced Labour in Colonial Africa. Zed Press. |
| Offiong, D. A. (1980) | Imperialism and Dependency. Fourth Dimension Publishers. |
| Ojigbo, O. (1982) | Shehu Shagari: The Biography of Nigeria’s First Executive President. |
| Okafor, I. (1989) | History for Senior Secondary Schools. Jet Publishers. |
| Oliver, R. and Atmore, A. (1996) | Africa Since 1800 (Fourth Edition). Cambridge University Press. |
| Olusanya, G. O. (1973) | The Second World War and Politics in Nigeria, 1939–1953. Evans. |
| Omar, O. (1966) | The Zulu Aftermath. Longman. |
| Omolewa, M. (1986) | Certificate History of Nigeria. Longman. |
| Onoja, I. (1998) | Peace-keeping and International Security in a Changing World. Mono Expressions. |
| Onwubiko, K. (1983) | School Certificate History of West Africa. African First Publishers. |
| Tamuno, T. N., Atanda, J. A. M. and Ukpabi, S. C. (1989) | Nigeria Since Independence: The First 25 Years (Various Volumes). Heinemann. |
| Thompson, L. A. (2000) | History of South Africa. Yale University Press. |
| Usman, Y. B. (1979–2002) | Several books on the Sokoto Caliphate, Katsina, Borno, Nigerian history, and election violence. |
| Webster, J. B. and Ikime, O. (Eds.) | Tarikh: Early African Christianity. |
| Wilmot, P. F. (1980) | Apartheid and African Liberation. University of Ife Press. |
| Yakubu, A. M., Jumare, I. and Saeed, A. G. (2005) | Northern Nigeria: A Century of Transformation, 1903–2003. Arewa House. |
| Yakubu, A. M. (2006) | Emirs and Politicians: Reform, Reactions and Recrimination in Northern Nigeria, 1950–1966. Baraka Publishers. |
Which Books Should You Read First?
Looking at this list for the first time can make you wonder where to begin. The good news is that you do not have to read every book before the examination.
I recommend starting with books that give you a broad understanding of History before moving to more detailed texts.
A good place to begin includes:
- History for Senior Secondary Schools by I. Okafor
- Certificate History of Nigeria by M. Omolewa
- A History of Nigeria by Elizabeth Isichei
- History of West Africa Volumes I and II by J. F. A. Ajayi and Michael Crowther
- Groundwork of Nigerian History edited by Obaro Ikime
These books explain many topics in simple language. After reading them, you can move to specialized books on the Sokoto Caliphate, Nigerian nationalism, the Nigerian Civil War, African independence movements, and international relations.
The thing is, understanding the main story of History first makes it much easier to understand the smaller details later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read every JAMB recommended History textbook?
No, you do not.
You are not expected to finish every book on the list before the examination. The list contains books written by different authors, and many of them explain the same topics in different ways.
A better idea is to choose two or three reliable books that cover most parts of the syllabus. You can then use another book whenever you need a clearer explanation about a topic.
For example, if you want to learn about the Nigerian Civil War, you can read a general History textbook first before moving to a book that focuses on the war alone.
Which History textbook is the easiest to understand?
Many students find these books easy to read:
1. History for Senior Secondary Schools by I. Okafor
2. Certificate History of Nigeria by Michael Omolewa
3. A History of Nigeria by Elizabeth Isichei
These books explain historical events in simple language. They are good for beginners because they introduce important topics before going into more detail.
After reading these, you can study books by Obaro Ikime, J. F. A. Ajayi, Michael Crowther, and other historians for deeper knowledge.
Can I pass JAMB History with only one textbook?
Yes, it is possible, but it is not the best approach.
One textbook may explain a topic very well but give little attention to another area. Reading more than one recommended book helps you see different explanations and examples.
The goal is not to collect many books. The goal is to understand the History syllabus well enough to answer questions correctly.
You should also study the JAMB History syllabus, solve past questions, and revise regularly. Doing these together gives you a better chance of scoring high.
Where can I buy JAMB recommended History textbooks?
You can buy these books from:
1. Local bookshops near you
2. University bookshops
3. Large bookstores in your state
4. Trusted online bookstores
If you cannot find a particular title, check your school library, a public library, or borrow it from someone who has already used it.
The thing is, you do not have to own every book. What matters is reading and understanding the topics inside them.
Conclusion
The JAMB Recommended Textbooks for History 2027/2028 are valuable resources for anyone who wants to build a strong understanding of History. They cover Nigerian History, West African History, African History, colonial rule, independence movements, political development, economic history, and many other important topics.
Reading the right books gives you confidence because you know you are studying from trusted sources. Start with the books that are easiest to understand, then move to more detailed ones as your knowledge grows. Remember to combine your reading with the JAMB History syllabus and regular practice using past questions.
I hope this guide has helped you choose the right Recommended Textbooks for History for your studies.
Do you have a favorite History textbook that helped you understand a difficult topic? Share it in the comments below. If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends so they can also benefit.