WAEC Syllabus for Hausa

The Hausa syllabus for WASSCE 2026–2030 covers the topics and areas candidates are expected to study before sitting for the examination. It covers Hausa Language, Literature and Culture, with questions set from different areas of the syllabus.

This WAEC Syllabus for Hausa is useful for candidates preparing for the examination as it shows the topics to focus on and the recommended Hausa textbooks to study. We will show you all you need to know about the WAEC Hausa syllabus, the topics to study under each section, the areas candidates should pay attention to, and useful preparation tips to help you study effectively.

For applicants writing WAEC for the first time or preparing to improve their previous result, this guide will help you understand what to study for Hausa in WAEC and how to prepare for the examination. Below is the detailed Hausa syllabus for WASSCE 2026–2030.

Detailed Hausa Syllabus

SECTION A: LANGUAGE

Composition and Letter Writing

Candidates are expected to write an essay of about 300 words on a selected topic. Not more than 45 minutes should be spent on this question. The essay types include:-

• Narrative: Insha’i Na Labari
• Descriptive: Insha’i Na Siffance
• Argumentative: Insha’i Na Muhawara
• Expository: Insha’i Na Bayani
• Dialogue: Muhawara ta Kai Tsaye
• Proverbial: Karin Magana
• Letter Writing: Rubutun Wasika

Sound System (Tsarin Sauti)

Candidates will answer one question from the two questions set.

Topics include:

Consonants, Vowels and Syllable Structure (Furucin Bakake da Wasula da Kirar Gaba)

• Production of consonants and vowels in terms of place, manner and status of the glottis.
• Bilabials, nasals, voiced and voiceless sounds.
• Syllable structure and the way consonants and vowels combine in syllables.

Structure of Syllable (Tsarin Gaba)

• Consonant + vowel (CV) – BW
• Consonant + vowel + vowel (CVV) – BWW
• Consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC) – BWB

Types of Syllable (Ire-Iren Gaba)

• Open syllable (Budaddiyar Gaba)
• Close syllable (Rufaffiyar Gaba)

Vowel Production (Furucin Wasula)

• Vowel length
• Short and long vowels
• Diphthongs (Gajeru da Dogaye da Tagwan Wasula)

Tone (Karin Sauti)

• High tone (Karin Sautin Sama)
• Low tone (Karin Sautin Kasa)
• Falling tone (Karin Sauti Mai Faduwa)

Grammar (Nahawu)

Candidates will answer one question from the two questions set.

Word Structure and Word Formation (Ginin Kalmomi)

• Root (Saiwa)
• Affix (Dafi)
• Prefix (Dafa Goshi)
• Infix (Dafa Ciki)
• Suffix (Dafa Keya)

Word Classes (Azuzuwan Kalmomi)

• Noun (Suna)
• Verb (Aikatau)
• Adjective (Sifa)
• Adverb (Bayanau)
• Pronoun (Wakilin Suna)
• Conjunction (Mahadi)
• Specifier (Mafayyaci)
• Quantifier (Ma’auni)
• Demonstrative (Nunau)
• Ideophone (Amsa-Kama)
• Diminutive (Tsigilau)
• Stabilizer (Dirka)
• Referential (Madanganci)

Grammatical Categories (Rukunonin Nahawu)

• Tense and Aspect (Lokutan Aiki)
• General Past (Shudadden Lokaci Na I)
• Relative Past (Shudadden Lokaci Na II)
• General Continuous (Lokaci Mai Ci Na I)
• Relative Continuous (Lokaci Mai Ci Na II)
• First Future (Lokaci Na Gaba Na I)
• Second Future (Lokaci Na Gaba Na II)
• Habitual (Lokaci Na Sabo)
• Subjunctive (Umurtau)
• Negative (Korewa)
• Gender (Jinsi)
• Number (Adadi)

Structure and Types of Sentences (Tsari da Ire-Iren Jumloli)

• Subject and predicate (Yankin Suna da Na Aikatau)
• Simple sentence (Sassaukar Jumla)
• Complex sentence (Sarkakkiyar Jumla)
• Compound sentence (Hardaddiyar Jumla)

SECTION B: LITERATURE

This section covers both Oral and Written Literature. Candidates will answer two questions, one from Oral Literature and one from Written Literature.

Oral Literature

The topics cover:-

• Prose (Tatsuniya, Tarihi, Karin Magana da Ka-Cinci-Ka-Cinci)
• Poetry (Wakokin Baka)
• Drama (Wasannin Gargajiya)

Three set books will be used for Oral Literature, with one question set from each book.

Written Literature

The topics cover:-

• Prose (Zube)
• Poetry (Rubutattun Wakoki)
• Drama (Wasan Kwaikwayo)

Three set books will be used for Written Literature, with one question set from each book.

SECTION C: CULTURE

This section tests candidates’ knowledge of Hausa customs, traditions and institutions. Candidates will answer one question from the two questions set.

Greeting

• Gaisuwar Ban Girma
• Gaisuwar Taya Murna
• Gaisuwar Lokatai, such as safiya, rana, la’asar, damina and rani
• Jaje
• Ta’aziyya

Tarbiyya

• Hanyoyin Tarbiyya, including tsawa, kwabo, harara and horo
• Girmama iyaye
• Girmama na gaba
• Girmama tsara
• Da’a ga hukuma

Hospitality (Karimci)

• Girmama bako
• Kyauta
• Ciyarwa
• Sadaka

Family (Iyali)

• Al’adun Aure
• Haihuwa
• Radin Suna
• Reno
• Yaye
• Kaciya
• Zumunci
• Al’adun Mutuwa

Traditional Beliefs and Practices

• Camfi
• Bori
• Duba
• Tsibbu
• Maita
• Fatalwa

Traditional Occupations (Sana’o’in Gargajiya)

• Noma
• Kira
• Saka
• Jima
• Wanzanci
• Kitso
• Sassaka
• Kiwo
• Dukanci
• Fawa
• Su
• Rini
• Kasuwanci
• Dillanci

Traditional Medicine (Magungunan Gargajiya)

Topics include traditional medicine practitioners such as:-

• Magori
• ’Yar Maiganye
• Bokaye
• Wanzamai

Traditional Authority and Office Holding (Sarautun Gargajiya)

• Sarki
• Hakimi
• Dagaci
• Mai Unguwa
• Shamaki
• Shantali
• Sarkin Zagi
• Liman
• Sarkin Fada

Forms of Traditional Recreation (Wasannin Dandali)

• Dambe
• Kokawa
• Kalankuwa
• Shanci
• Sukuwa
• Hawan Kaho

WASSCE Hausa Examination Weighting

• Composition/Letter Writing – 25 marks
• Other five questions – 15 marks each
• Total – 100 marks

Summary

• Paper 1 – 60 marks
• Paper 2 – 100 marks
• Maximum marks obtainable – 160 marks, to be scaled down to 100%.

Recommended Hausa Books for WASSCE 2026–2030

Written Literature

Prose

• Maraya by Mahe, I. A.

Drama

• Malam Zalimu by Gidan Dabino, A. A.

Poetry

• Gadar Zare (Na Daya) by Anwar, A.

Oral Literature

Prose

• Mu Sha Dariya by Tofa, B. O.

Drama

• Wasannin Kwaikwayo Na Hausawa by Gobir, Y. A. and Sani, A. U.

Poetry

• Jagoran Nazarin Wakar Baka by Gusau, S. M.

Language

• Sound System And Grammar by Sani, M. A. Z.

Culture

• Rayuwar Hausawa by CSNL, BUK
• Hausa Custom by Madauci, I.

General Reference Books

• Exam Focus: Hausa Language by Sani, M.A.Z.
• Darussan Hausa 1-3 by Yahaya, L.Y. et al.
• Rayayyen Nahawun Hausa by Jinju, M.H.
• An Introduction to Hausa Grammar by M.K.M. Galadanci
• Jagoran Nazarin Kagaggun Labarai by Mukhtar, I.
• Rabe-raben Adabi Da Muhimmancinsa Ga Rayuwar Hausawa by Dangambo, A.
• Harshe Da Adabin Hausa A Kammale by Ismaila, J. and Tanimu, M.Y.
• Labaru Na Da Da Na Yanzu
• Zaman Mutum Da Sana’arsa by E.M. Rimmer et al.
• Zaman Hausawa by Alhassan, H. et al.
• Waka A Bakin Mai Ita by CSNL, BUK, Kano
• Tsarin Sautin Hausa Dalla-Dalla by Baba, A.T. and Azare, Y.M. (ABU Press, 2021)
• Karin Sautin Hausa by Ahmadu Bello (ABU Press, 2018)
• Bahaushiyar Al'ada by Muhammad, M.S. (Bayero University Press, 2020)

Candidates should study the Hausa syllabus carefully and make use of the recommended textbooks when preparing for the examination. Understanding the topics covered in each section will help you organise your study and focus on the areas you need to cover.

If you find this Hausa syllabus helpful, share it with other candidates who may need it. You can also ask your questions in the comments, and we will respond.

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