The aim of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) 2026 syllabus in Geography is to evaluate candidates’ knowledge of the features of the earth’s crust (internal and external), the spatial spread of the physical and human features, the interactions that exist between man and these spatial features, the changes that occur over space as well as the effects of those changes on man with a view to maintaining sustainability in man’s ecosystem. This examination syllabus is based on the assumption that not less than three hours of teaching per week will be allocated to the subject.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The examination will test the candidates’ ability to

(i) explain the concepts of differential character and the spatial relationships of the surface features of the earth; (ii) explain the concepts of man- environment relations (i.e. to analyse the life of man within his physical and cultural environments and to explain their interactions); (iii) demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nature and functioning of physical and human environments, particularly an understanding of their inter-relationships and the resulting issues; (iv) organize and formulate principles according to acquired geographical concepts and then apply these principles to interpret and analyze spatial problems in the immediate and wider environments; (v) demonstrate skills and techniques for accurate, orderly and objective geographical investigations to be carried out both in the classrooms and in the immediate environment; (vi) communicate geographical ideas effectively through reports, graphs, charts, sketches, diagrams and maps; (vii) explain the cultural, social and economic circumstances of people in their immediate environments and those of other countries within the sub-region.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.

PAPER 1: will consist of fifty objective questions to be taken in 1 hour for 50 marks. The questions will be drawn from topics in the syllabus that are common to all the member countries. Candidates will be required to attempt all the questions.

PAPER 2: will contain nine essay-type questions out of which candidates will be required to answer four in 2 hours for 80 marks.

It will be made up of two sections; Sections A and B for candidates in Nigeria. Candidates in Nigeria will be required to attempt four questions in all, choosing two questions from each of Sections A and B.

Section A: Economic and Human Geography 
This will consist of three essay-type questions on Economic and Human Geography. Candidates in Nigeria will be required to attempt any two of them.

Section B: Regional Geography of Candidate’s Home Country
There will be a set of three essay-type questions on Regional Geography in Nigeria, Candidates in Nigeria will be required to answer two of the questions.

PAPER 3: Element of Practical and Physical Geography
Will consist of eight essay-type questions out of which candidates are to answer four in 1 hour 50 minutes for 70 marks. Question 1, on map reading and interpretation, will be compulsory for all candidates and will carry 25 marks while the other questions will carry 15 marks each. Candidates are advised not to spend more than 35 minutes on Question 1. Candidates will be expected to bring graduated rulers (both metric and imperial), a complete mathematical set, a piece of string, and a simple non-programmable calculator for use during the writing of the paper.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

A. Elements of Practical and Physical Geography

1. Maps: meaning, types and uses.
2. Geographic Information System (GIS):
   1. Basic concepts, components (hardware, software, data, procedures and experts)
   2. Sources of data (land surveying, remote sensing, map digitizing, map scanning, field investigation and tabular data etc)
   3. Uses (defence, agriculture, urban development, mapping, surveying, transportation, census etc), problems (power, personnel, capital etc).
3. Statistical Maps and Diagrams: Graphical representation of statistical data: Bar graphs, Line graphs, flow charts, dot maps, proportional circles, density maps, isopleth maps.
4. Elements of Physical Geography: The earth as a planet in relation to the sun, latitude and distance, longitude and time, earth’s rotation and revolution and their effects, structure of the earth (internal and external).
   1. Rocks: Types, characteristics, formation and uses.
   2. Tectonic processes: Vulcanicity, earthquakes, landforms: Mountains, plains, karsts and coastal landforms (formation, characteristics and importance.
   3. Denudational processes: Agencies modifying landforms such as weathering, mass movement, running water, underground water, wind and waves.
   4. Climate:
      • Elements: Rainfall, sunshine, air pressure, wind, humidity, temperature and cloud. Factors affecting climatic elements e.g. altitude, latitude, ocean currents, land and sea breezes, continentality, aspect. Interpretation of climatic charts and data.
      • Classification: Major types of climate (Hot climate – Equatorial, Tropical Continental, Desert; Temperate climate – warm and cool). Classification of climate based on Greek and Koppen.
      • Climate change: Meaning, causes, effects and remedies.
   5. The Environment:
      1. Environmental resources: Meaning, classification ( renewable and non-renewable) types ( vegetation, water, mineral, atmospheric, etc ) and the importance of each.
      2. Environmental problems/ hazards: Types (soil erosion, drought, desert encroachment, flooding and pollution), causes, effects and prevention of each.
      3. Environmental conservation: Meaning, importance, methods, problems and solutions.

B. Economic and Human Geography

1. World Population: Factors and patterns of growth, distribution and movement, growth rate problems.
2. Settlement:
   1. Types (rural and urban); patterns and factors affecting location
   2. Growth and size
   3. Functions of rural and urban settlements
   4. Interaction patterns( urban-rural, rural-urban, urban-urban, rural-rural)
   5. Migration.
3. Transportation
   1. Modes (roads, railways, water, air, pipeline, cables, ropeways etc.)
   2. Transportation and economic development (movement of people and commodities, national and international trade, diffusion of ideas and technology, national integration)
   3. Problems of transportation and their solutions.
4. Industry
   1. Classification (primary, secondary and tertiary)
   2. Types (heavy and light industry)
   3. Factors of industrial location
   4. Contributions to development
   5. Problems/solutions.
5. Trade: Meaning, types (national and international), reasons for trade, importance.
6. Tourism: Meaning, centres, reasons (leisure, recreation, education etc ); importance, problems and solutions.

c. Aspects of Regional Geography Peculiar to Member Countries

1. Regional Geography of Nigeria
   1. Nigeria on broad outline: Location, position, size, distance and political divisions.
   2. Physical setting: Relief, drainage, climate, vegetation
   3. Population: Size, distribution, structure, population quality, population movement, population data ( sources and problems/solutions)
   4. Resources:
      • Mineral (petroleum, gas, coal, tin/columbite, iron ore, limestone)- distribution, methods of extraction, problems and solutions)
      • Power (Petroleum, gas, coal HEP, solar energy)
      • Water (rivers, lakes, dams, sea, underground water)
      • Vegetation (trees, food and cash crops; timber,etc)- forest, savanna, biosphere.
   5. Agriculture: Types of agricultural practices, food and cash crops, importance, problems and solutions.
   6. Transportation: Mode, advantages and disadvantages, problems and solutions, influence of transportation on human activities.
   7. Communication: Communication networks, advantages and disadvantages, importance, problems and solutions.
   8. Industry: Definition, types, major industrial zones, factors of location, importance, problems and solutions
   9. Trade: Meaning, types (national and international), stock exchange, capital market, forex, major commercial areas, importance of commercial activities.
   10. Tourism: Meaning, centres, reasons for tourism, importance, problems and solutions.
   11. Issues of Development and Environmental Conservation: Rural and regional development, resource management and conservation, environmental pollution e.g. air, water, soil, noise; waste disposal, etc.
   12. ECOWAS: Meaning, member countries, purposes/mandate, advantages/benefits, disadvantages, problems and solutions.
   13. Geo-political issues: Geo-political issues-Land reclamation.
2. Regional Geography of Africa
   1. Africa on broad outline: Location, size, position, political divisions and associated islands, physical features and their economic importance (relief, drainage, climate and vegetation), distribution of minerals.
   2. Selected topics
      • Irrigation agriculture: Irrigation agriculture in the Nile Basin and the Niger Basin
      • Plantation agriculture: Plantation agriculture in West and East Africa.
      • Oil production: Oil production in Nigeria, Ghana and Libya.
      • Lumbering: Lumbering in Equatorial Africa (with particular reference to Cote d’Ivoire and Zaire).
      • Gold mining: Gold mining in South Africa.
      • Copper mining: Copper mining in Zambia and Zaire
      • Population: Population distribution in West Africa.
      • ECOWAS: Meaning, member countries, purposes/mandate, advantages/benefits, disadvantages, problems and solutions.
   3. Fieldwork: Fieldwork on any one of the following topics should be based on local geography of candidate’s home country. (This aspect of the syllabus should be examined by schools as part of the continuous assessment and should account for 25% of the total mark allotted to continuous assessment).
      • Land use (rural or urban): rural – crop farming (e.g. rice, cocoa, etc. ) urban crop farming mining (e.g. coal, tin, petroleum etc.), fishing. urban – commercial activities, ports, factories, recreational etc.
      • Market survey – rural or urban.
      • Traffic flow – rural or urban.
      • Patterns of journey to work – rural or urban.
      • Rate of erosion in the locality, etc.

Suggested Reading List

1. R. B. Bunnett & P. O. Okunrotifa – General Geography in Diagram for West Africa (Longman)
2. B. O. Akindele & G. C. Leong – Certificate Physical and Human Geography (West African Edition) (Oxford)
3. Strahler, A. N. – Introduction to Physical Geography (Wiley International Ed.)
4. Monkhouse, F. J. – Principles of Physical Geography (University of London)
5. Udo, Reuben K. – Comprehensive Geography of Tropical Africa (Longman)
6. Udo, Reuben K. – Geographical Regions of Nigeria (Longman)
7. N. P. Iloeje – A New Geography of Nigeria (New Edition) (Longman)
8. M. A. Abegunde et al. – Senior Secondary Geography Series (1–3) (Longman)
9. Oboli, H. O. N. – An Outline Geography of West Africa (Harrap & Company)
10. Pritchard, J. M. – Africa (Longman)
11. M. Duze & Afolabi Ojo – Macmillan Senior School Atlas (Macmillan)
12. Collins – New Secondary School Atlas (Longman)
13. Philips – World Atlas; Longman Dictionary of Geography (Longman)
14. Clary, Audrey N. – (Human and Physical) (Longman)
15. Moore, W. E. – A Penguin Dictionary of Geography (Longman)
16. N. P. Iloeje, P. C. Onokala & F. O. Odemerho – Basic Geography Course for Senior Secondary Schools Books (1–3) (Longman)
17. Macmillan – Macmillan Senior School Atlas for Liberia Schools (Macmillan)
18. Guiness, P. & Nagle, G. – IGCSE Geography (Hodder Education, UK)