2025 JAMB Novel Announced: What Candidates Need to Know About The Lekki Headmaster
Alphayem News reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced “The Lekki Headmaster” by Kabir Alabi Garba as the new recommended novel for the 2025 UTME Use of English examination.
Each year, JAMB selects a literary text for candidates to study as part of their English Language paper. The selected text forms the basis of several comprehension and objective questions that are tested during the UTME. Understanding this book can make a major difference in your score.
About the Author – Kabir Alabi Garba
Kabir Alabi Garba is a respected Nigerian journalist, writer, and literary enthusiast. He is known for using storytelling to address social and educational issues in Nigeria. The Lekki Headmaster is a book that sheds light on some of the challenges faced in the Nigerian education system, especially in urban settings.
Through this novel, Garba brings attention to issues like poor infrastructure, corruption, dedication among teachers, and the resilience of children facing adversity.
What is The Lekki Headmaster About?
The Lekki Headmaster is a thought-provoking story centered around a headmaster who is posted to a struggling public school in the Lekki area of Lagos State. As he tries to improve the school’s condition and restore dignity to learning, he faces resistance from both inside and outside the school system.
The novel touches on themes such as leadership, sacrifice, societal neglect, and the importance of education. It highlights how one person’s courage and values can begin to transform a failing system.
Why the JAMB Novel Matters in UTME
Every UTME candidate sitting for the Use of English exam must read and understand the recommended novel. Several questions — usually between 10 to 15 — are drawn directly from the book, including:
- Plot and theme-based questions
- Character roles and relationships
- Literary devices and writing style
- Setting and key events
That means reading and understanding this book could be the difference between scoring 50 and 80 in English!
How to Study The Lekki Headmaster Effectively
Here are practical ways to prepare for JAMB questions on the novel:
- Read the novel completely – Don’t rely only on summaries or key points. Read it yourself to understand context.
- Take notes – Note down names of characters, plot twists, and key events.
- Join a study group – Discuss the novel with friends or classmates. Teaching others will also help you remember better.
- Practice past questions – Look out for sample UTME questions based on the book as they become available.
Tips for Answering JAMB Novel Questions
When answering novel-based questions during UTME:
- Don’t overthink — most questions are direct.
- Eliminate wrong options first before choosing the correct one.
- Use logic. If you’ve read the book, the answer will feel familiar.
- Watch out for tricky phrasing — some questions test your understanding, not just memory.
Other Subjects That Use Novels in UTME
While Use of English is the main subject with a set novel, other subjects like Literature in English (for arts students) may also refer to prose texts. However, the novel selected by JAMB for all candidates — whether science, art, or commercial — is The Lekki Headmaster for 2025.
Final Advice to 2025 UTME Candidates
The road to admission starts with proper preparation. Don’t wait until the last month to begin reading this novel. If possible, buy a copy or borrow from your school or library. Also, look out for practice tests and online summaries — but don’t let them replace reading the full book.
By reading The Lekki Headmaster and understanding its themes, characters, and key events, you’ll not only boost your English score but also gain insight into important social issues in Nigeria’s education system.
Start now, and you’ll thank yourself on exam day.
Tags: JAMB 2025 novel, The Lekki Headmaster, UTME English reading text, JAMB English tips, Use of English 2025
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