JAMB Subject Combination for Early Childhood Education 2025/2026: Early childhood education is a field of study that focuses on the development and learning of children from birth to eight years old. It prepares students to teach and care for young children in various settings, such as preschools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and primary schools. Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the future of children by providing them with a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters their cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative skills.

If you are interested in pursuing a degree in early childhood education in Nigeria, you need to meet the admission requirements of the universities that offer the program. One of the requirements is to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). In this post, we will provide you with the information you need to know about the JAMB subject combination for early childhood education, as well as other relevant details.

JAMB Subject Combination for Early Childhood Education 2025/2026

The JAMB subject combination for early childhood education is English Language and any three (3) subjects from the list below:

• Agriculture
• Art
• Arabic
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Studies
• Commerce
• CRS
• Economics
• French
• Geography
• Government
• Hausa
• History
• Home Economics
• Igbo
• Islamic Studies
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical & Health Education (PHE)
• Physics
• Principles of Account
• Use of English
• Yoruba

You can choose any three subjects that are relevant to your preferred university and course of study. However, you should note that some universities may have specific requirements or preferences for certain subjects. Therefore, it is advisable to check the JAMB brochure or the university website for more information before you register for the UTME.

O’Level Requirements for Early Childhood Education 2025/2026

Apart from the UTME, you also need to have at least five (5) O’Level credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language. The O’Level subjects may vary depending on the university and the course of study. Some of the common subjects that are required or accepted for early childhood education are:

• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Economics
• Government
• Geography
• Literature
• CRS/IRS
• Any Nigerian Language
• Any other Arts or Social Science subject

You can obtain your O’Level results from any of the following examinations:

• West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
• National Examination Council (NECO)
• General Certificate of Education (GCE)
• National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB)

You should ensure that you have the required O’Level results before you apply for admission into any university. You should also note that some universities may accept a combination of two O’Level sittings, while others may not.

Direct Entry Requirements for Early Childhood Education 2025/2026

If you have already obtained a diploma, NCE, or A’Level qualification in a related field, you may be eligible for direct entry admission into the second year of the early childhood education program. The direct entry requirements may differ from one university to another, but generally, you need to have:

• a minimum of merit in your diploma or NCE program, or
• a minimum of nine (9) points in your A’Level/IJMB/JUPEB/NABTEB Advanced Level or equivalent qualification.

You should also have the relevant O’Level credit passes as mentioned above. You should check the JAMB brochure or the university website for the specific direct entry requirements for your preferred university and course of study.

List of Universities that Offer Early Childhood Education in Nigeria 2025/2026

According to the JAMB brochure, the following are some of the universities that offer early childhood education in Nigeria:

• University of Benin (UNIBEN)
• Kwara State University (KWASU)
• Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED)
• University of Lagos (UNILAG)
• National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)

Available as Early Childhood and Primary Education in:

• Kwara State University (KWASU)

Available as Nursery and Primary School Education in:

• Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
• Delta State University (DELSU)
• Ekiti State University (EKSU)

Available as Primary Education Studies in:

• University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
• National Open University Nigeria (NOUN)

Available as Pre-Primary and Primary Education in:

• Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
• Benue State University (BSU)
• Usumanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK)
• University of Uyo (UNIUYO)

Available as Elementary Education in:

• University of Calabar (UNICAL)

You should note that the admission requirements, duration, and curriculum of the early childhood education program may vary from one university to another. Therefore, you should do your research and compare the different options before you make your final decision.

Conclusion

Early childhood education is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for anyone who loves working with young children and helping them grow and learn. If you want to pursue a degree in early childhood education in Nigeria, you need to meet the JAMB subject combination and other admission requirements of the universities that offer the program. You should also consider the direct entry option if you have a relevant qualification. We hope that this post has provided you with useful information and guidance on how to achieve your academic and career goals in early childhood education.

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