If you’re aiming to study Business Administration at a Nigerian university, understanding the correct subject combination for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is the critical first step. Choosing the wrong subjects, even with a high score, can disqualify you from admission.

Here are the four mandatory subjects you must select in JAMB for Business Administration.

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The Four Mandatory JAMB Subjects for Business Administration

The standard and universally accepted JAMB subject combination for Business Administration (and related management courses like Management Studies) is comprised of four subjects: one compulsory core subject and three relevant subjects.

1. Use of English (Compulsory Core Subject)

English Language is the foundational and non-negotiable subject for virtually all courses in the arts, social sciences, and management sciences, including Business Administration.

• Why it’s Required: It assesses your command of the medium of instruction and communication skills, which are vital for a manager in any professional setting.
• Status: This is the first and most important subject, mandatory for all UTME candidates seeking university admission.

2. Mathematics (Compulsory Relevant Subject)

Mathematics is essential for Business Administration as the field heavily involves quantitative analysis, financial management, statistics, and accounting principles.

• Why it’s Required: It tests your numerical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and ability to interpret data, which are core functions in business.
• Status: It is almost universally compulsory alongside English for this course.

3. Economics (Compulsory Relevant Subject)

Economics provides the necessary framework for understanding market dynamics, financial systems, supply and demand, and national/global economic trends—all of which directly impact business operations.

• Why it’s Required: A business administrator must understand the economic environment in which their company operates to make strategic decisions.
• Status: It is generally a mandatory relevant subject for admission into management sciences.

4. Any Commercial/Social Science Subject (The Flexible Subject)

The fourth subject offers a slight degree of flexibility, allowing you to choose one subject from a specific list of commercial or social science-related disciplines. The most common and preferred options are:

• Accounting (or Principles of Accounts): Highly preferred as it directly relates to financial record-keeping and reporting.
• Commerce: Offers a direct link to trade, business practices, and distribution channels.
• Geography: Occasionally accepted, especially where the curriculum has a strong focus on business location and market distribution.
• Government/History: Less common but sometimes accepted by some universities, though the commercial subjects are preferred.

Recommendation: To maximize your chances, always select Accounting or Commerce as your fourth subject.

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Summary of the JAMB Combination

To reiterate, the optimal and safest JAMB subject combination for Business Administration is:

Subject Number	Subject Name	Category
1	Use of English	Compulsory Core
2	Mathematics	Compulsory Relevant
3	Economics	Compulsory Relevant
4	Accounting / Commerce	Flexible Relevant

Key Admission Requirements to Note

• O’Level Requirements: You must also possess a minimum of five credit passes in your Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE/WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) at not more than two sittings. These five credits must include:
  1. English Language
  2. Mathematics
  3. Economics
  4. Any other two subjects from the social sciences or commercial subjects (e.g., Accounting, Commerce, Government).
• Score: Your final UTME score must meet or exceed the minimum cut-off mark set by your chosen institution for the Business Administration programme.

Always Confirm: While this combination is standard, it is crucial to always cross-check the specific requirements for your chosen university in the current JAMB brochure, as slight variations may exist.