NABTEB Biology Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By Syllabus2026 January 28, 2026 NABTEB Syllabus 2026 0 Comments

The NABTEB Biology Syllabus 2026/2027 focuses on fundamental biological principles, including the variety of organisms, cell structure, ecology, and the physiology of plants and animals. Key areas include classification, nutrition, transport, respiration, excretion, reproduction, genetics, evolution, and environmental science.

AIMS

The aims of the syllabus are to:
a. Ensure that candidates acquire meaningful and relevant knowledge in Biology;
b. Develop reasonable and functional scientific attitudes in the candidates;
c. Develop adequate laboratory and field skills such as observation, precision, classification, and interpretation of biological data;
d. Prepare candidates for professional training in biological sciences;
e. Create an awareness in the candidates of the application of science principles in everyday life on matters that affect personal, environmental, community health, and socio-economic spheres of life.

Scientific Understanding: Providing knowledge on key topics such as cell biology, nutrition, ecology, genetics, and organismal structure.

Practical Skills: Developing the ability to observe, record, and interpret biological data through laboratory experiments.

Contextual Application: Linking biological principles to real-world applications, such as agriculture, health, and environmental management.

Academic Progression: Equipping candidates with the necessary skills to compete with secondary school counterparts for technical and scientific careers.

The syllabus covers key areas such as the classification of organisms, nutrition (autotrophic/heterotrophic), respiration, and environmental studies.

Marking Guide

The examination consists of two compulsory papers—Paper I (Objective & Essay) and Paper II (Practical)—with a total of 200 marks.

Paper I (100 marks) has two sections:

Section A: 50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 50 minutes (50 marks).
Section B: 6 essay questions drawn from the syllabus; candidates answer 4 in 1½ hours (50 marks).

Paper II (Practical – 100 marks) lasts 2 hours and has two sections:

Section A: 15 short structured questions on biological principles and practicals, 30 minutes (30 marks).
Section B: 4 practical questions, 1½ hours (70 marks).

Note: Private candidates will take an alternative to practical during the Nov/Dec series, lasting 2 hours for 100 marks.

NABTEB Biology Syllabus 2026/2027

NABTEB BIOLOGY SYLLABUS
SN	TOPICS	OBJECTIVES
1	CONCEPT OF BIOLOGY	i. Explain Biology as a science
2	THE SCOPE OF BIOLOGY	i. Explain the scope of Biology ii. Explain the inter- relationship of various branches of Biology.
3	GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING & NON-LIVING THINGS	i. Explain the general concept of living and non-living things
4	PLANTS & ANIMALS	i. Explain the differences between plants and animals.
5	DIVERSITY AMONG LIVING THINGS	i. Classify plants and animals
6	MICROSCOPE	i. Identify the parts of a microscope. ii. State its functions and maintenance
7	CELLS AS BASIC UNITS OF LIVING THINGS	i. Outline the differences between plants and animals cells.
8	CELLS ORGANIZATION	i. Explain levels of organization and complexity of organization in higher organisms.
9	CELLS AND IT’S ENVIRONMENT (PHYSICAL & BIOPHYSICAL PROCESSES IN CELL)	I. Explain the physical and biophysical processes in cell.
10	PROPERTIES & FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVING CELL	i. Explain Nutrition in living cells. ii. Explain cellular respiration iii. Explain excretion in living cells. iv. Explain growth in living cells. v. Explain reproduction in living cells.
11	FLOWERING PLANTS	i. Explain the external and internal features of dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants.ii. Explain reproduction in plants.iii. Explain transpiration and mineral requirements in plants.iv. Explain the importance of photosynthesis and respiration in plantsv. Explain tropism in plants
12	SOIL SCIENCE	i. Explain the constituents, structure and characteristics of soil. ii. Explain the various methods of soil and water conservation and improvement
13	INVERTEBRATES (EXTERNAL FEATURES)	i. Explain the external features and characteristics of invertebrate animals
14	VERTEBRATA	i. Explain the external features and characteristics of vertebrate animals
15	SUPPORTING SYSTEMS IN ANIMALS	i. Explain the different types of skeletons and supporting systems in animals
16	BONES OF THE SKELETON	i. Explain the different types of bones that make up the mammalian skeleton
17	TYPES OF JOINTS IN ANIMALS	i. Describe the types of joints in mammals, their locations and functions
18	ANIMAL NUTRITION	i. Identify the mode of feeding in animals and explain the digestive system in man.
19	MAMMALIAN DENTITION	i. Explain the structure of mammalian teeth, types, functions and diseases.
20	CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS IN MAMMALS	i. Explain circulatory system in mammals. ii. Describe the mechanism of blood clothing and first-aid treatment
21	RESPIRATION IN MAMMALS	i. Explain the process of respiration and the respiratory organs in mammals
22	EXCRETION IN MAMMALS	i. Explain the different excretory organs and excretory products of mammals
23	COORDINATION IN MAMMALS	i. Explain the component of the central and peripheral nervous system in mammals
24	BASIC CONCEPTS OF GENETICS	i. Explain the basic terms used in genetics, the Mendelian laws of inheritance and the applications of genetics
25	BASIC ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS	i. Explain the ecosystem, ecological factors, and its measurement. ii. Explain marine habitat. iii. Explain food webs and trophic levels. iv. Explain energy transformation in nature and ecological management v. Explain the various diseases of man and the causative agents vi. Relevance of Biology to Agriculture. vii. Variation & variability viii. Evolution

NABTEB Biology Textbooks 2026/2027

Ndu, F.O. C. Ndu, Abun A. and Aina J.O. (2001) Senior Secondary School Biology: Books 1 -3, Lagos: Longman.
2. Odunfa, S.A. (2001) Essential of Biology, Ibadan: Heinemann.
3. Ogunniyi M.B. Adebisi A.A. and Okojie J.A. (2000) Biology for Senior Secondary Schools: Books 1 – 3, Macmillan.
4. Ramalingam, S.T. (2005) Modern Biology, SS Science Series. New Edition, AFP
5. (Stan2004) Biology for Senior Secondary Schools. Revised Edition, Ibadan: Heinemann
6. Stone R.H. and Cozens, A.B.C. (1982) Biology for West African Schools. Longman
7. Usua, E.J. (1997) Handbook of practical Biology 2nd Edition, University Press, Limited

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