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NECO Chemistry Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By February 8, 2026 NECO Syllabus 2026 0 Comments

The NECO Chemistry syllabus 2026/2027 focuses on foundational chemical concepts, practical laboratory skills, and industrial applications, covering topics such as atomic structure, periodic table trends, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry. The examination consists of theory (obj/essay) and practical, focusing on inorganic analysis, acid-base titration, and chemical reactions.

The NECO Chemistry syllabus covers fundamental principles, including atomic structure, chemical bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, redox reactions, and organic chemistry, alongside practical, inorganic, and industrial applications. Key topics involve SI unit measurements, kinetic theory, gas laws, acid-base titration, and qualitative analysis.

The NECO Chemistry examination consists of three papers: Paper 1 (Objective), Paper 2 (Theory), and Paper 3 (Practical), covering topics from basic atomic structure to organic chemistry, chemical kinetics, and redox reactions. The examination tests understanding of concepts, laboratory skills, and industrial applications of chemistry.

NECO Chemistry Syllabus 2026/2027


NECO CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS
SNTOPICSOBJECTIVES
1INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRYi. Measurement of physical quantities.

ii. Scientific measurements and their importance in chemistry.

iii. Scientific Methods
2STRUCTURE OF AN ATOMi. Gross features of the atom

ii. Atomic number/proton number, number of neutrons, isotopes, atomic mass, mass number

iii. Relative atomic mass (Ar) and relative molecular mass (Mr) based on the Carbon-12 scale

iv. Characteristics and nature of matter.

v. Particulate nature of matter: physical and chemical changes

vi. Electron Configuration

vii. Orbitals

viii. Rules and principles for filling in electrons
3STANDARD SEPARATION TECHNIQUES FOR MIXTURESi. Classification of mixtures.

ii. Separation techniques

iii. Criteria for purity
4PERIODIC CHEMISTRYi. Periodicity of the elements.

ii. Different categories of elements in the periodic table.

iii. Periodic law
a) Trends on the periodic table
b) Periodic gradation of the elements in the third period (Na – Ar)
c) Reactions between acids and metals, their oxides and trioxocarbonates (IV)
d) Periodic gradation of elements in group seven, the halogens: F, Cl, Br and I
e) Elements of the first transition series 21Sc – 30Zn
5CHEMICAL BONDSi. Interatomic bonding

ii. Formation of ionic bonds and compounds.

iii. Properties of ionic compounds.

iv. The naming of ionic compounds.

v. Formation of covalent bonds and compounds.

vi. Properties of covalent compounds.

vii. Coordinate (dative) covalent bonding

viii. Shapes of molecular compounds.

ix. Metallic Bonding

x. Factors influencing its formation.

xi. Properties of metals.

xii. Intermolecular bonding

xiii. Intermolecular forces in covalent compounds

xiv. Hydrogen bonding

xv. van der Waals forces

xvi. Comparison of all bond types
6STOICHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL REACTIONSi. Symbols, formulae and equations.

ii. Chemical symbols.

iii. Empirical and molecular formulae

iv. Chemical equations and IUPAC names of chemical compounds

v. Laws of chemical combination

vi. Amount of substance

vii. Mole ratios

viii. Solutions

ix. Concentration terms

x. Standard solutions.

xi. Preparation of solutions from liquid solutes by the method of dilution
7STATES OF MATTERi. Kinetic theory of matter.

ii. Changes of state of matter.

iii. Diffusion

iv. Gases
a) Characteristics and nature of gases
b) The gas laws
c) Laboratory preparation and properties of some gases.

v. Liquids

vi. Vapour and gases.

vii. Solids
a) Characteristics and nature
b) Types and structures
c) Properties of solids.

viii. Structures, properties and uses of diamond and graphite.

ix. Determination of melting points of covalent solids.
8ENERGY & ENERGY CHANGESi. Energy and enthalpy

ii. Description, definition and illustrations of energy changes and their effects
9ACIDS, BASES & SALTSi. Definitions of acids and bases.

ii. Physical and chemical properties of acids and bases.

iii. Acids, bases and salts as electrolytes.

iv. Classification of acids and bases.

v. Concept of pH

vi. Salts
a) Laboratory and industrial preparation of salts
b) Uses
c) Hydrolysis of salt.

vii. Deliquescent, efflorescent and hygroscopic compound.

viii. Acid-Base indicators

ix. Acid-Base titration
10SOLUBILITY OF SUBSTANCESi. General principles

ii. Practical application of solubility
11CHEMICAL KINETICS & EQUILIBRIUM RATEi. Rate of reactions:
a) Factors affecting rates
b) Theories of reaction rates
c) Analysis and interpretation of graphs

ii. Equilibrium:
a) General Principle
b) Le Chatelier’s principle
12REDOX REACTIONSi. Oxidation and reduction process.

ii. Oxidizing and reducing agents.

iii. Redox equations

iv. Electrochemical cells
a) Standard electrode potential
b) Drawing of cell diagram and writing cell notation
c) E.M.F. of cells;
d) Application of Electrochemical cells.

v. Electrolysis
a) Electrolytic cells
b) Principles of electrolysis
c) Factors influencing discharge of species;
d) Faraday’s laws
e) Practical application
f) Corrosion of metals
13CHEMISTRY OF CARBON COMPOUNDSi. Classification

ii. Functional group

iii. Separation and purification of organic compounds.

iv. Petroleum/crude oil

v. Determination of empirical and molecular formulae and molecular structures of organic compounds.

vi. General properties of organic compounds:
a) Homologous series
b) Isomerism.

vii. Alkanes
a) Sources, properties
b) Uses.

viii. Alkenes
a) Sources and properties
b) Uses
c) Laboratory detection.

ix. Alkynes
a) Sources, characteristic properties and uses
b) Chemical reactions.

x. Benzene
a) Structure and physical properties;
b) Chemical properties

xi. Alkanols
a) Sources, nomenclature and structure;
b) Classification
c) Physical properties
d) Chemical properties
e) Laboratory test
f) Uses.

xii. Alkanoic acids
a) Sources, nomenclature and structure;
b) Physical properties
c) Chemical properties
d) Laboratory test
e) Uses

xiii. Alkanoates as derivatives of alkanoic acids:
a) Sources, nomenclature, preparation and structure;
b) Physical properties
c) Chemical properties
d) Uses
14CHEMISTRY, INDUSTRY & THE ENVIRONMENTi. Chemical industry

ii. Pollution: air, water and soil pollution

iii. Biotechnology
15BASIC BIOCHEMISTRY & SYNTHETIC POLYMERSi. Proteins:
a) Sources and properties
b) Uses of protein

ii. Amino acids

iii. Fats/oils
a) Sources and properties;
b) The general structure of fats/oils
c) Preparation of soap
d) Uses of fats/oils.

iv. Carbohydrates
a) Sources and nomenclature;
b) Properties
c) Carbohydrates as examples of polymers;
d) Uses

v. Synthetic polymers:
a) Properties;
b) Uses of polymers
 NECO CHEMISTRY PRACTICALS
16GENERAL SKILLS & PRINCIPLESCandidates will be expected to be familiar with the following skills and principles:

i. Measurement of mass and volume;
ii. Preparation and dilution of standard solutions;
iii. Filtration, recrystallisation and melting point determination;
iv. Measurement of heats of neutralization and solutions;
v. Determination of pH value of various solutions by colorimetry;
vi. Determination of rates of reaction from concentration versus time curves;
vii. Determination of equilibrium constants for a simple system.
17QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS1. Acid-Base Titrations
The use of standard solutions of acids and alkalis and the indicators; methyl orange, methyl red and phenolphthalein to determine the following:

i. The concentrations of acid and alkaline solutions;
ii. The molar masses of acids and bases and water of crystallization.
iii. The solubility of acids and bases;
iv. The percentage purity of acids and bases;
v. Analysis of Na2CO3/NaHCO3 mixture by double indicator methods (Ghanaians only).
vi. Stoichiometry of reactions.

2. Redox Titrations
Titrations of the following systems to solve analytical problems:
Acidic MnO4– with Fe2+;
Acidic MnO4– with C2O42-;
I2 in KI versus S2O32-.
18QUALITATIVE ANALYSISNo formal scheme of analysis is required.

i. Characteristic tests of the following cations with dilute NaOH(aq) and NH3(aq); NH4; Ca2+; Pb2+; Cu2+; Fe2+; Fe3+; Al3+; and Zn2+.
ii. Confirmatory tests for the above cations.
iii. The characteristic reaction of dilute HCl on solids or aqueous solutions and conc. H2SO4 on solid samples of the following: Cl– ; SO32- ; CO32- ; NO3– and SO42-.
iv. Confirmatory tests for the above anions
v. Comparative study of the halogens; displacement reactions.
vi. Characteristic tests for the following gases: H2; NH3; CO2; HCl and SO2.
vii. Characteristic test tube reactions of the functional groups in the following simple organic compounds: Alkenes; alkanols; alkanoic acids, sugars (using Fehling’s and Benedict’s solutions only); starch (iodine test only) and proteins (using the Ninhydrin test, Xanthoporteic test, Biuret test and Millon’s test only).

NECO Chemistry Textbooks 2026/2027

  • New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, Ababio, O. Y. (2009), (Fourth edition), Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
  • Senior Secondary Chemistry, Bajah, S.T.; Teibo, B.O.; Onwu, G.; and Obikwere, A. Book 1 (1999), Books 2 and 3 (2000). Lagos: Longman.
  • Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Ojokuku, G. O. (2012, Revised Edition), Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.
  • Essential: Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, (2008), 2nd Edition, I. A. Odesina, Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.
  • Countdown to WASSCE/SSCE, NECO, JME Chemistry, Uche, I. O.; Adenuga, I. J. and Iwuagwu, S. L. (2003). Ibadan: Evans.

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