JAMB Economics Syllabus

Every section, topic and candidate objective in the official JAMB Economics outline — 9 sections, 23 topics and 122 objectives.

Sections
9sections
Topics
23topics
Objectives
122objectives
Category
Social Sciencescategory
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Syllabus sections

9 sections

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1

Section A: Basic Economic Concepts and Analysis

3 topics · 11 objectives
1

Economics as a Science

3 content items · 3 objectives

Content

Basic concepts of economics: wants, scarcity, choice, scale of preference, opportunity cost, rationality, production, distribution, and consumption.

Objective

Compare various economic concepts and their applications; interpret graphs and schedules relating to these concepts; identify economic problems; and propose solutions to economic problems.

Content

Economic problems: what to produce, how to produce, for whom to produce, and the efficiency of resource use.

Objective

Identify economic problems, interpret graphs and schedules relating to economic concepts, and propose solutions to economic problems.

Content

Application of the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) to the solution of economic problems.

Objective

Interpret graphs and schedules in relation to economic concepts, identify economic problems, and propose solutions to economic problems.

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2

Economic Systems

3 content items · 3 objectives

Content

Types and characteristics of free enterprise, centrally planned, and mixed economies.

Objective

Compare the various economic systems, apply knowledge of economic systems to contemporary issues in Nigeria, and propose solutions to economic problems in different economic systems.

Content

Solutions to economic problems under different economic systems.

Objective

Compare the various economic systems and propose solutions to economic problems under different systems.

Content

Contemporary issues in economic systems, including economic reforms such as deregulation, banking sector consolidation, and cash policy reform.

Objective

Apply knowledge of economic systems to contemporary issues in Nigeria and propose solutions to economic problems.

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3

Methods and Tools of Economic Analysis

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Scientific approach to economic analysis: inductive and deductive methods; positive and normative reasoning.

Objective

Distinguish between the various forms of reasoning and apply these forms of reasoning to real-life situations.

Content

Basic tools of economic analysis: tables, charts, and graphs.

Objective

Use tables, charts, and graphs to interpret and analyse economic data and understand the merits and demerits of these tools.

Content

Measures of central tendency: mean, median, and mode, including their applications.

Objective

Use measures of central tendency to interpret and analyse economic data and understand their merits and demerits.

Content

Measures of dispersion: variance, standard deviation, and range, including their applications.

Objective

Use measures of dispersion to interpret and analyse economic data and understand their merits and demerits.

Content

Merits and demerits of the tools of economic analysis.

Objective

Understand and evaluate the merits and demerits of the various tools used in economic analysis.

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2

Section B: Demand, Supply, Consumer Behaviour, and Price Determination

4 topics · 23 objectives
1

The Theory of Demand

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

Meaning and determinants of demand.

Objective

Identify the factors determining demand.

Content

Demand schedules and demand curves.

Objective

Interpret demand curves from demand schedules.

Content

Distinction between a change in quantity demanded and a change in demand.

Objective

Differentiate between a change in quantity demanded and a change in demand.

Content

Types of demand: composite, derived, competitive, and joint demand.

Objective

Compare the various types of demand and their interrelationships.

Content

Types, nature, and determinants of elasticity of demand, including price elasticity, income elasticity, and cross elasticity, and their measurement.

Objective

Relate the determinants of demand to the nature of elasticity, calculate elasticities, and interpret elasticity coefficients in relation to real-life situations.

Content

Importance of elasticity of demand to consumers, producers, and government.

Objective

Interpret elasticity coefficients in relation to real-life situations and understand the importance of elasticity to consumers, producers, and government.

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2

The Theory of Consumer Behaviour

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

Basic utility concepts: cardinal utility, ordinal utility, total utility, average utility, and marginal utility.

Objective

Explain the various utility concepts and apply the law of demand using marginal utility analysis.

Content

Indifference curves and budget lines.

Objective

Use indifference curve and marginal analyses to determine consumer equilibrium.

Content

Diminishing marginal utility and the law of demand.

Objective

Apply the law of demand using marginal utility analysis.

Content

Consumer equilibrium using indifference curve and marginal utility analyses.

Objective

Use indifference curve and marginal analyses to determine consumer equilibrium.

Content

Effects of shifts in the budget line and the indifference curve.

Objective

Relate income and substitution effects to changes in consumer behaviour.

Content

Consumer surplus and its applications.

Objective

Apply the concept of consumer surplus to real-life situations.

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3

The Theory of Supply

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Meaning and determinants of supply.

Objective

Identify the factors determining supply.

Content

Supply schedules and supply curves.

Objective

Interpret supply curves from supply schedules.

Content

Distinction between a change in quantity supplied and a change in supply.

Objective

Differentiate between a change in quantity supplied and a change in supply.

Content

Types of supply: joint or complementary supply, competitive supply, and composite supply.

Objective

Compare the various types of supply and their interrelationships.

Content

Elasticity of supply: determinants, measurement, nature, and applications.

Objective

Relate the determinants of supply to the nature of elasticity, calculate elasticity coefficients, and interpret the coefficients in relation to real-life situations.

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4

The Theory of Price Determination

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

Concepts of market and price.

Objective

Explain the concepts of market and price.

Content

Functions of the price system.

Objective

Examine the functions of the price system.

Content

Equilibrium price and quantity in product and factor markets.

Objective

Determine the equilibrium values of price and quantity.

Content

Price legislation and its effects, including minimum and maximum price legislation.

Objective

Evaluate the effects of government interference with the price system and differentiate between minimum and maximum price legislation.

Content

Effects of changes in supply and demand on equilibrium price and quantity.

Objective

Interpret the effects of changes in supply and demand on equilibrium price and quantity and determine equilibrium values.

Content

Simple linear equations of demand and supply.

Objective

Determine equilibrium price and quantity using simple linear equations of demand and supply.

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3

Section C: Production, Costs, Revenue, and Market Structures

3 topics · 17 objectives
1

The Theory of Production

7 content items · 7 objectives

Content

Meaning and types of production.

Objective

Identify the types of production and understand their characteristics.

Content

Concepts of production and their interrelationships: total product (TP), average product (AP), marginal product (MP), and the law of variable proportions.

Objective

Relate TP, AP, and MP to the law of variable proportions.

Content

Division of labour and specialisation.

Objective

Understand the role of division of labour and specialisation in production.

Content

Economies of scale: internal and external economies of scale and their implications.

Objective

Compare internal and external economies of scale in production and explain their effects.

Content

Production functions and returns to scale.

Objective

Identify types of production functions, compare different types of returns to scale, and explain their implications.

Content

Producer equilibrium using isoquant-isocost and marginal analyses.

Objective

Determine a firm's equilibrium position using isoquant-isocost and marginal analyses.

Content

Factors affecting productivity.

Objective

Identify the factors affecting productivity.

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2

Theory of Costs and Revenue

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Cost concepts: fixed cost, variable cost, total cost, average cost, and marginal cost.

Objective

Explain the various cost concepts.

Content

Revenue concepts: total revenue, average revenue, and marginal revenue.

Objective

Explain the various revenue concepts.

Content

Accountants' and economists' notions of cost.

Objective

Differentiate between accountants' and economists' notions of costs.

Content

Short-run and long-run costs.

Objective

Interpret short-run and long-run cost curves.

Content

Marginal cost and the supply curve of a firm.

Objective

Establish the relationship between marginal cost and the supply curve.

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3

Market Structures

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Perfectly competitive market: assumptions and characteristics.

Objective

Analyse the assumptions and characteristics of a perfectly competitive market.

Content

Short-run and long-run equilibrium of a perfectly competitive firm.

Objective

Differentiate between the short-run and long-run equilibrium of a perfectly competitive firm.

Content

Imperfect markets: pure monopoly, discriminatory monopoly, and monopolistic competition, including their assumptions and characteristics.

Objective

Analyse the assumptions and characteristics of imperfect markets.

Content

Short-run and long-run equilibrium positions in imperfectly competitive markets.

Objective

Differentiate between the short-run and long-run equilibrium positions of imperfectly competitive firms.

Content

Break-even and shut-down analysis in the various market structures.

Objective

Establish the conditions for the break-even and shut-down of firms.

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4

Section D: National Income, Money, and Financial Institutions

3 topics · 21 objectives
1

National Income

7 content items · 7 objectives

Content

Concepts of gross national product (GNP), gross domestic product (GDP), national income (NI), and net national product (NNP).

Objective

Identify the major concepts in national income.

Content

Methods of measuring national income and the problems associated with measurement.

Objective

Compare the different methods of measuring national income and examine the problems associated with them.

Content

Uses and limitations of national income estimates.

Objective

Determine the uses and limitations of national income estimates.

Content

Circular flow of income using two-sector and three-sector models.

Objective

Interpret the circular flow of income using two-sector and three-sector models.

Content

Concepts of consumption, investment, and savings.

Objective

Explain the concepts of consumption, investment, and savings.

Content

The multiplier and its effects.

Objective

Calculate the various multipliers and evaluate their effects on equilibrium national income.

Content

Elementary theory of income determination and equilibrium national income.

Objective

Evaluate the effects of multipliers on equilibrium national income and understand the elementary theory of income determination.

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2

Money and Inflation

7 content items · 7 objectives

Content

Types, characteristics, and functions of money.

Objective

Explain the types, characteristics, and functions of money.

Content

Demand for money and supply of money.

Objective

Identify the factors affecting the demand for and supply of money.

Content

Quantity theory of money, including the Fisher equation.

Objective

Identify the components of the quantity theory of money.

Content

Value of money and the price level.

Objective

Examine the relationship between the value of money and the price level.

Content

Inflation: types, measurement, effects, and control.

Objective

Examine the causes and effects of inflation, calculate the consumer price index, interpret the consumer price index, and examine ways of controlling inflation.

Content

Consumer Price Index (CPI) and its use in measuring changes in prices.

Objective

Calculate and interpret the consumer price index.

Content

Deflation: measurement, effects, and control.

Objective

Examine the causes, measurement, effects, and control of deflation.

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3

Financial Institutions

7 content items · 7 objectives

Content

Types and functions of financial institutions, including traditional financial institutions, the central bank, mortgage banks, merchant banks, insurance companies, and building societies.

Objective

Identify the types and functions of financial institutions.

Content

Role of financial institutions in economic development.

Objective

Explain the roles of financial institutions in economic development.

Content

Money markets and capital markets.

Objective

Distinguish between the money market and the capital market.

Content

Financial sector regulation.

Objective

Identify the various financial sector regulators and their functions.

Content

Deposit money banks and the creation of money.

Objective

Explain the money creation process and the challenges associated with it.

Content

Monetary policy and its instruments.

Objective

Examine the various monetary policy instruments and their effects.

Content

Challenges facing financial institutions in Nigeria.

Objective

Appraise the challenges facing financial institutions in Nigeria.

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5

Section E: Public Finance and Economic Development

2 topics · 13 objectives
1

Public Finance

8 content items · 8 objectives

Content

Meaning and objectives of public finance.

Objective

Identify the objectives of public finance.

Content

Fiscal policy and its instruments.

Objective

Explain fiscal policy and its instruments.

Content

Sources of government revenue, including taxes, royalties, rents, grants, and aid.

Objective

Compare the various sources of government revenue.

Content

Principles of taxation.

Objective

Analyse the principles of taxation.

Content

Tax incidence and its effects.

Objective

Analyse the incidence of taxation and its effects.

Content

Effects of public expenditure on the economy.

Objective

Examine the effects of public expenditure on the economy.

Content

Government budgets and public debts.

Objective

Examine the types of budgets and their effects.

Content

Revenue allocation and resource control in Nigeria.

Objective

Highlight the criteria for revenue allocation in Nigeria and assess their impact.

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2

Economic Growth and Development

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Meaning and scope of economic growth and development.

Objective

Distinguish between economic growth and economic development.

Content

Indicators of economic growth and development.

Objective

Highlight the indicators of economic growth and development.

Content

Factors affecting economic growth and development.

Objective

Identify the factors affecting economic growth and development.

Content

Problems of economic development in Nigeria.

Objective

Examine the problems of economic development in Nigeria.

Content

Development planning in Nigeria.

Objective

Examine the role of planning in economic development.

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6

Section F: Agriculture, Industry, and Natural Resources in Nigeria

3 topics · 16 objectives
1

Agriculture in Nigeria

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Types and features of agriculture.

Objective

Identify the types and features of agriculture.

Content

Role of agriculture in economic development.

Objective

Assess the role of agriculture in economic development.

Content

Problems of agriculture.

Objective

Examine the characteristics and problems of agriculture.

Content

Agricultural policies in Nigeria and their effects.

Objective

Appraise agricultural policies in Nigeria.

Content

Instability in agricultural incomes: causes, effects, and solutions.

Objective

Evaluate the causes and effects of instability in agricultural incomes.

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2

Industry and Industrialization

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Concepts and effects of the location and localisation of industry in Nigeria.

Objective

Differentiate between the location and localisation of industry and identify the factors influencing them.

Content

Industrialisation strategies in Nigeria.

Objective

Appraise industrialisation strategies.

Content

Industrialisation and economic development in Nigeria.

Objective

Examine the role of industry in economic development and the problems of industrialisation.

Content

Funding and management of business organisations.

Objective

Understand issues relating to the funding and management of business organisations.

Content

Factors determining the size of firms.

Objective

Identify the factors determining the size of firms.

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3

Natural Resources and the Nigerian Economy

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

Development of major natural resources in Nigeria, including petroleum, gold, diamond, and timber.

Objective

Trace the development of major natural resources in Nigeria.

Content

Contributions of the oil and non-oil sectors to the Nigerian economy.

Objective

Understand the contributions of the oil and non-oil sectors to the Nigerian economy.

Content

Linkage effects between natural resources and other sectors of the economy.

Objective

Establish the linkages between natural resources and other sectors.

Content

Upstream and downstream activities in the oil sector.

Objective

Distinguish between upstream and downstream activities in the oil sector.

Content

Roles of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in the oil sector.

Objective

Examine the roles of NNPC and OPEC in the oil sector.

Content

Challenges facing natural resource exploitation and its environmental effects in Nigeria.

Objective

Analyse the environmental effects of exploitation activities and suggest ways of controlling the effects of natural resource exploitation.

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7

Section G: Business Organisations

1 topic · 6 objectives
1

Business Organisations

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

Private enterprises, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and cooperative societies.

Objective

Compare the types and basic features of private business organisations.

Content

Problems of private enterprises.

Objective

Appreciate the financing and management problems of business organisations.

Content

Public enterprises and their problems.

Objective

Identify the features of public enterprises and understand their problems.

Content

Funding and management of business organisations.

Objective

Appreciate the financing and management problems of business organisations.

Content

Factors determining the size of firms.

Objective

Identify the factors determining the size of firms.

Content

Privatisation and commercialisation as solutions to the problems of public enterprises.

Objective

Differentiate between privatisation and commercialisation and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

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8

Section H: Population and International Trade

2 topics · 9 objectives
1

Population

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Meaning of population and theories of population.

Objective

Analyse population theories and examine their relevance to Nigeria.

Content

Population census: importance and problems.

Objective

Examine the uses and limitations of census data.

Content

Population size and growth: overpopulation, underpopulation, and optimum population.

Objective

Identify the determinants of population size and growth.

Content

Population structure and distribution.

Objective

Identify the determinants of population composition and analyse population structure and distribution.

Content

Population policy and economic development in Nigeria.

Objective

Appraise government population policy in Nigeria and examine its relationship with economic development.

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2

International Trade

4 content items · 4 objectives

Content

Meaning and basis of international trade, including absolute and comparative costs.

Objective

Examine the basis for international trade and differentiate between absolute and comparative advantages.

Content

Balance of trade and balance of payments: problems and corrective measures.

Objective

Distinguish between balance of trade and balance of payments, identify their problems, and explain corrective measures.

Content

Composition and direction of Nigeria's foreign trade.

Objective

Examine the composition and direction of Nigeria's foreign trade.

Content

Exchange rates: meaning, types, and determination.

Objective

Identify the types of exchange rates and examine how exchange rates are determined.

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9

Section I: International Economic Organisations and Factors of Production

2 topics · 6 objectives
1

International Economic Organisations

1 content item · 1 objective

Content

Roles and relevance of international economic organisations to Nigeria, including ECOWAS, AU, EU, ECA, IMF, EEC, OECD, World Bank, IBRD, WTO, ADB, and UNCTAD.

Objective

Identify the various international economic organisations and their functions and evaluate their relevance to the Nigerian economy.

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2

Factors of Production and Their Theories

5 content items · 5 objectives

Content

Types, features, and rewards of factors of production.

Objective

Identify the types, features, and rewards of factors of production.

Content

Determination of wages, interest, and profits.

Objective

Analyse the determination of wages, interest, and profits.

Content

Theories of factor rewards: marginal productivity theory of wages and liquidity preference theory.

Objective

Interpret the marginal productivity theory and liquidity preference theory.

Content

Factor mobility and efficiency.

Objective

Examine factor mobility and efficiency.

Content

Unemployment and its solutions, with particular reference to Nigeria.

Objective

Examine the types and causes of unemployment in Nigeria and suggest solutions to unemployment in Nigeria.

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