NABTEB Fishery Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
NABTEB Fishery Syllabus 2026/2027 (200) for technical craft training focuses on equipping candidates with practical skills in aquaculture, fish production, management, and processing. It covers identifying fish species, farming techniques, pond management, and preservation methods, essential for vocational proficiency in the fishery sector.
Core Components of the NABTEB Fishery Syllabus:
- Introduction to Fisheries: Definition, importance, and types of fisheries (industrial, artisanal, and recreational).
- Fish Biology and Habitat: Identification of local fish species, fish anatomy, physiology, and water quality management.
- Aquaculture and Fish Farming: Site selection for fish farms, pond construction, and management techniques.
- Fish Seed Production: Identification of fish broodstock, hatchery management, nursing, and fingerling production.
- Fish Nutrition and Feeding: Types of fish feed, feeding methods, and nutrition requirements.
- Fish Health Management: Identification of common fish diseases, parasites, and their control.
- Fishing Gear and Craft: Types of fishing nets, traps, and boat maintenance.
- Fish Handling and Processing: Preservation techniques, including smoking, drying, icing, and salting to prevent post-harvest losses.
- Fishery Management and Economics: Basic accounting for fish farms, marketing, and sustainable practices.
Aims & Objectives
The NABTEB Fisheries syllabus aims to equip students with practical skills and technical knowledge in aquaculture, fish handling, and entrepreneurship to foster livelihood opportunities. It focuses on sustainable fish production, processing, environmental management, and understanding the socio-economic importance of fisheries in West Africa.
The NABTEB Fisheries syllabus aims to equip students with practical skills and technical knowledge in aquaculture, fish handling, and entrepreneurship to foster livelihood opportunities. It focuses on sustainable fish production, processing, environmental management, and understanding the socio-economic importance of fisheries in West Africa.
| NABTEB FISHERY SYLLABUS | |
| TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| FIT 13 – INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY | |
| THE RELEVANCE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY TO FISHERIES | i. Definition of Physical Geography ii. Components of Physical Geography relevant to fisheries sciences. iii. The components of fisheries science. iv. Types of environment in which fishes lives. v. The physical and chemical characteristics of the following: a. fresh water b. brackish water c. marine water vi. Identification of lakes, estuaries and deltas in natural situations and maps. vii. Differences between lakes, rivers, lagoons and estuaries. |
| NAME & LOCATIONS OF CONTINENTS, OCEANS AND RELIEF FEATURE S OF THE BASINS IN THE WORLD | i. The world map ii. The ocean of the world on map iii. Differences between mountains, hills, valleys and other land configuration. iv. Explanation of land configuration to types of lakes, rivers and other water bodies |
| WEATHER INSTRUMENTS | i. The use of the following instruments: a) rain guage b) thermometer c) hygrometer d) barometer e) wind vane f) sunshine recorder ii. The use of weather records to fisheries science. |
| FORMS OF LIFE IN ACQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS | i. Importance of phytoplankton and zooplankton in aquatic environment ii. Identification and drawing important invertebrates (crustaceans mainly) iii. Explanation of importance of crustaceans in aquatic environment. iv. Identification of fin and shell fishes in the sea and their adaptive features. v. Identification of common aquatic weeds in Nigeria. |
| FIT 21 – INTRODUCTION TO FISHERIES | |
| BASIC FISH ECOLOGY | i. Identify different types of fish. ii. Fish grouping into: a. Fin Fish b. Shell Fish c. Bony/Cathogeneous fish d. Habitat (Ecology) fish iii. External Features of fish and their functions. iv. Internal Features of fish and their functions. v. Growth, feeding and reproduction of fish. |
| FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA | i. Importance of fish in human nutrition. ii. History of development of fisheries Industry from pre-independence Nigeria to date. iii. Status of fisheries resources production in Nigeria economy. iv. The roles of the following fisheries sub-sector economy: a. Artisanal (Subsistence, Small- Scale and Commercial) b. Industrial c. Aqua-Culture. v. Problems associated with each sub- sector. vi. Possible solutions |
| CONCEPT OF FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY | i. Explanation of the following concepts a. Fish technology b. Fishing technology c. Fisheries technology. |
| FISH CLASSIFICATION | i. Basic Principles of fish classification.ii. The difference between fin fishes and shell fishes.iii. Main groups of Nigerian fishes (marine, Brackish water and fresh water species) and their diagnostic features as well as main characteristics. |
| EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY OF BONY FISH | i. Morphmetric or meristic characters of fish i.e. standard length, total length, trunk, head girth, head trunk and tail region of a typical fish. ii. Different types of fish scales – Ctenoid, Ganoid, Cydoid and Placoid. iii. Methods of identifying and drawing fish skin. |
| INTERNAL FEATURES OF BONY FISH | i. Identifying the following feature of a fish. a. The elementary canal and associated structures – mouth, teeth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, kidney, spleen gas bladder, gills, gonads and heart of fish b. Dissecting and drawing to scale fish alimentary canal relative to body length |
| FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA II | i. Fisheries sub-sector in Nigeria: a) Artisanal (Subsistence, Small scale and commercial) b) Industrial c) Aquaculture |
| FIT 22 – BASIC AQUACULTURE | |
| AQUACULTURE | i. Definition of aquaculture. ii. History of aquaculture with particular reference to Nigeria, the present status and its prospects in future. iii. The potential of aquaculture in boosting fish production in Nigeria. iv. Identification of major fish types in Nigeria, fish seed, table fish, ornamental fish, shall fish. v. Key species of fish cultured in Nigeria. |
| FISH CULTURE SYSTEMS | i. Definition of extensive, semi- intensive and intensive farming systems. ii. The differences betweens extensive, semi-intensive and intensive fish farming systems. iii. Various facilities for the culture of fish. |
| NATURAL & SUPPLEMENTARY FISH FEEDS IN PONDS | i. Explanation on natural and supplementary fish supplementary fish feeds. feeds in ponds. ii. Methods for the production of natural fish food. iii. Procedure for compounding simple fish rations. iv. Locally available common fish feed stuffs. v. Practical feeding of fish. vi. Production of fish feed pellets. vii. Packaging of fish feed pellets. |
| ENEMIES OF FISH UNDER CULTURE | i. Definition of water pollution. ii. Identifying ways of dealing with problems of water pollution in fish culture. iii. Simple methods of improving water quality. iv. Identifying fish predators and control. v. Identifying aquatic weeds and control. vi. Common fish diseases and parasites and how to control them. |
| CONSTRUCTION & MANAGEMENT OF AQUARIUM | i. Definition of aquarium. ii. Materials for construction of an aquarium. aquarium. iii. Types of aquaria (natural & artificial). iv. Some of the natural plants found in an aquarium. v. Some common ornamental fishes found in an aquarium. vi. Common fish feed used in aquaria. vii. Methods of maintaining acquaria |
| FIT 22 – BASIC AQUACULTURE (PRACTICAL CONTENT) | |
| AQUACULTURE | i. Key species of fish cultured in Nigeria. ii. Major fish types in Nigeria fish seed table fish, ornamental fish, shell fish. iii. Different culturable fish species: a. Tilapia b. Clarias c. Heterobrachus d. Cyprinus Caspio e. Heterotis nitotians |
| TYPES OF FISH CULTURE SYSTEM | i. The facilities for the culture of fish. ii. Preparation of ponds for stocking. iii. Stock pond as desired iv. Methods of compounding simple fish ratio. v. Practical feeding of fish. |
| FISH SEED PRODUCTION | i. Packaging fish fry/finger lings for transportation. ii. Definition of hypophysation of fish |
| FISH HARVESTING | i. Equipment used for harvesting fish by a. partial and b. total cropping. ii. Methods of harvesting and crop fishing by total or partial cropping. |
| ENEMIES OF FISH UNDERCULTURE | i. Fish predators and minor control. ii. Aquatic weed. iii. Common fish diseases and parasites and how to control them. |
| THE CONSTRUCTION OF AQUARIUM | i. Materials for construction of an aquarium. ii. Types of aquarium (natural & artificial). iii. Natural plants found in an aquarium. iv. Common fish seed used in aquaria. v. Common ornamental fishes found in an aquarium. vi. Construction of Aquarium. |
| FIT 23 – FISHING GEAR AND CRAFT TECHNOGY (PRACTICAL ONLY) | |
| CLASSIFICATION OF FISHING GEAR | i. Identification of all the traditional and modern fishing gear in use in Nigeria. ii. Classification of fishing gears and method under: a. Active fishing gears (trawl, cast net, seine nets, claps nets etc.) b. Passive fishing gears (gile net, trammel nets, traps etc. |
| NETTING MATERIALS FOR GEAR CONSTRUCTION | i. Natural fibers materials for net construction. ii. Synthetic materials for net construction. iii. Physical characteristics of synthetic fibers (flexibility, strength etc.) iv. Identification tests on the various types of synthetic fiber (water and visual tests) |
| BASIC PROCESSES OF NET CONSTRUCTION | i. Definition of terms associated with net construction viz: normal and T- cut, bar cut, combinations cut etc. ii. Processes in net construction, braching, strand formation (rope), tapering, creasing, joining, knotting etc. iii. Mount netting material on support ropes (head and ropes). iv. Explanation on hanging ratio (coefficient) and its effects on shape of net and its application constraints. v. Construction of mount net using 50% and 60% hanging. |
| TYPES OF FISHING CRAFT/BOAT | i. Description of a typical fishing craft. ii. classification of crafts into calabash; bamboo rafts (aids) canoes, dingy, boats, and trawlers etc. iii. Different types of fishing boat e.g. wooden, glass fiber, steel, ferrocement etc. iv. The difference between mechanized and non-mechanised boats. v. Simple tools for building boats. vi. Drawing of a simple fishing boat plan. vii. Identifying different boat parts. viii. Designing simple fish boat (model). |
| FIT 31 – INTRODUCTION TO FISH FARM ENGINEERING (PRACTICAL ONLY) | |
| SELECTION OF SITE FOR FISH FARMS | i. Definition of fish farm engineering. ii. Reconnaissance survey of farm site for vegetation, water source/quality, topography etc. iii. Determination of elevation and distance using simple instruments like hand level, kern levels, ranging poles, tape etc. iv. Simple soil suitability testing e.g permeability tests, soil structure, soil PH. v. Simple water quality test on water source temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, PH, ammonia, iron, lead etc. |
| DESIGN OF SIMPLE FISH FARMS STRUCTURES | i. Identification of common structures found in fish farm e.g. pond, sluice gate, wooden tank, fibre glass tank, concrete tank etc. ii. Design of fish farm structures such as: a. Earthen pond e.g. barrage, contour etc. b. Other holding facilities e.g. aquarium tank, concrete tank, horrestead pond, raceway, plastic tank, wood/plank tank, fibre glass tank. iii. Simple outline design of ancillary farm structures e.g. store, net rack, hatchery, counting shed, reservoir etc. iv. Sketch pond dyke core trench. |
| CONSTRUCTION OF FISH FARMS FACILITIES | i. Identifying the following devices: dyke (dam), Monk, Dyke Protection devices, Sluice gate, spillway etc. in fish farm facilities. ii. construction of a typical earthen fish pond. iii. Construction of horrestead/Concrete Pond, aquarium, transportation tank. iv. Determination of fish to water surface area requirements for stocking based on size and species. v. Management of dyke protection devices. vi. Assembling a model earthen pond aquarium tank, hapa/cage, and pen. vii. Setting up other small fish farm holding structures e.g. fiber glass tank, plastic bowl, wood/plank tank etc. viii. Cutting of glasses using diamond |
| THE CONCEPT OF HATCHERY DESIGN | i. Description of the various types of hatchery e.g. indoor, outdoor. ii. Description of other supporting structures e.g. Nursery pond. iii. Identification of incubator, tank, brood stock tank etc. |
| FIT 33 – INTRODUCTION TO POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING | |
| NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FISH IN DIET | i. Description of the various types of hatchery e.g. indoor, outdoor. ii. Description of other supporting structures e.g. Nursery pond. iii. Identification of incubator, tank, brood stock tank etc. |
| FISH HANDLING METHODS | i. Common fish handling equipment: a. aboard b. landing site c. off shore ii. Operation and maintenance of common fish handling equipment. iii. Various handling methods affecting fish quality. iv. The effect of gutting on keeping quality of fish. |
| CAUSES OF FISH SPOILAGE | i. The causes of fish spoilage. ii. Factors responsible for spoilage of fish: a. Bacterial b. Enzymes c. Chemical Oxidation iii. Locations of micro organisms on the fish body. iv. Spoilage microorganisms and their control measures |
| TECHNIQUES OF EVALUATION OF FRESHNESS OF FISH | i. Physical properties of freshly caught fish e.g. eyes, gut, gill appearance and flesh. ii. Identifying changes that occur in fish stored at various temperature on the flesh, eyes, gills and general appearance. iii. Signs of deterioration in fish e.g. off colour, off odour, flassiness, taste |
| FIT 33/ INTRODUCTION TO POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING (PRACTICAL CONTENT) | |
| METHODS OF FISH PRESERVATION AND PROCESSING METHODS | i. Description of the various fish processing and preservation methods e.g. boiling, frying, smoking, sun drying, salting, fermentation, canning, freezing, icing.ii. Equipment for each method in 5.1 above.iii. The differences between icing, freezing and cold storage.iv. The advantages and disadvantages duration of each of the method in 5.1 |
| FISH MARKETING | i. Forms of fish for marketing. ii. Various outlet for marketing the following: a. fish seed b. Table (fungaling) fish c. Shell fish d. Ornamental fish iii. Explanation on the constraints associated with fish |
HomeNABTEB Syllabus 2026NABTEB Biology Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
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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