If you’re aiming to study Management in a Nigerian university in 2026, let’s clear something up early: this is not a course you guess your subject combination for.
Management looks simple on paper, but every year, candidates with good UTME scores still get rejected because of one thing — wrong subject combination.
So instead of rushing straight to “the four subjects,” let’s slow down, break things properly, and help you understand why each subject matters. That way, you won’t just register correctly — you’ll register smart.
What Is Management as a Course?
Management (sometimes called Management Studies or Management Science) focuses on:
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organizing people and resources
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planning and decision-making
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leadership and business operations
It sits comfortably between business, economics, and social sciences. That balance is exactly why JAMB gives you core subjects and then flexible options.
And yes, you must still register four subjects total — no shortcuts.
How JAMB Subject Combinations Really Work
For JAMB UTME:
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Use of English is compulsory for everyone
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Your course determines:
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core subjects (you must take these)
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optional subjects (you choose from approved options)
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For Management, JAMB does not leave everything open-ended. There is a clear structure.
Core Subjects for Management (Non-Negotiable)
These subjects are compulsory across almost all universities offering Management.
1. Use of English (Compulsory)
This is automatic. No English, no UTME.
Management involves reports, presentations, communication, and leadership. English is not optional here.
2. Mathematics
Management students deal with:
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basic calculations
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financial analysis
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statistics
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decision models
Even if you “don’t like math,” JAMB still requires it. No workaround.
These two subjects form the foundation of your registration.
So at this point, you already have:
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Use of English
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Mathematics
That means you still need two more subjects.
Optional Subjects You Can Choose From (Pick Two)
This is where many candidates make mistakes.
JAMB allows flexibility here, but only within approved subjects. You are expected to choose any two from the list below.
Approved Optional Subjects for Management
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Economics
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Commerce
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Government
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Accounting
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Geography
You do NOT pick all of them.
You pick two that best match:
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your strength
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your O’level background
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your target universities
Recommended and Safest Combination
If you want the most widely accepted and lowest-risk option across Nigerian universities, this is it:
Core subjects
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Use of English
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Mathematics
Best optional pair
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Economics
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Commerce
This combination aligns perfectly with Management’s business focus and is accepted almost everywhere.
Other Acceptable Subject Combinations
Depending on your strength and institution, these also work:
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Use of English
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Mathematics
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Economics
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Government
or
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Use of English
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Mathematics
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Accounting
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Economics
or
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Use of English
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Mathematics
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Commerce
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Government
All of these still follow JAMB’s rule:
2 core + 2 approved optional subjects = 4 subjects total
Subjects You Should Avoid for Management
Even if you like them, these subjects can get you disqualified for Management in many universities:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Physics
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Agricultural Science
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Literature in English
They are not business- or management-oriented, and JAMB does not recognize them for this course.
Why Universities Still Reject Candidates With “Almost Correct” Subjects
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:
JAMB may approve a combination, but universities can still tighten their requirements.
That’s why Economics is often preferred over Government, and why Accounting gives you an edge in some schools.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board sets the general rules, but universities apply them strictly.
Final Summary: JAMB Subject Combination for Management 2026
You must register four subjects:
Core subjects (must take)
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Use of English
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Mathematics
Choose any two from
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Economics
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Commerce
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Accounting
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Government
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Geography
Choose wisely. Don’t copy friends blindly. Don’t assume “it should work.” One wrong subject can cancel everything.