Introduction to The Life Changer – JAMB Novel 2025/2026
The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli is the official recommended novel for the 2025/2026 JAMB UTME. This captivating story explores the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by university students, emphasizing the transformative power of education, integrity, and personal growth.
Through the experiences of characters like Ummi, Omar, Salma, and Talle, the novel teaches valuable lessons about honesty, peer pressure, social media risks, and the consequences of bad decisions. Written in simple yet engaging prose, The Life Changer is a must-read for students preparing for JAMB.
Below is a detailed chapter-by-chapter summary to help you understand the novel and excel in your exams.
Full Summary of The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli
Chapter 1: Family Bonds and Omar’s Admission
The novel begins with Ummi, a mother narrating life lessons to her children. Her youngest daughter, Bint, shares a humorous classroom incident where she outsmarted her teacher. The family dynamic is warm, filled with love and playful banter.
The key event is Omar’s admission into Ahmadu Bello University to study Law, marking a turning point in his life. Ummi reflects on how university education can be a “life changer,” setting the stage for the novel’s central theme.
Key Themes: Family values, education, transition to university life.
Chapter 2: Ummi’s University Experience
Ummi recalls her early university days, where she faced cultural adjustments. She narrates an encounter with Salma, a bold student who openly criticized university staff, only to realize she was insulting a lecturer.
Ummi also meets Dr. Samuel Johnson (Dr. Samjohn), her HOD, whose overly friendly demeanor makes her uncomfortable. Later, she discovers he is a family friend, teaching her a lesson about judging others too quickly.
Key Themes: First impressions, humility, university challenges.
Chapter 3: The Story of Talle and Salma’s Past
Ummi shares a cautionary tale about Talle, a quiet man in her community who was arrested for kidnapping. This story warns Omar about blind trust and bad influences.
She also reveals that Salma was expelled from her previous school for exam malpractice, reinforcing the dangers of academic dishonesty.
Key Themes: Trust, consequences of crime, academic integrity.
Chapter 4: Salma’s Bold Personality and Hostel Life
Salma’s confidence shines as she confronts Dr. Dabo, a lecturer who flirts with her. She moves into the hostel, befriending roommates Tomiwa, Ngozi, and Ada, bonding over food and cultural differences.
Salma plays a prank by giving Tomiwa’s number to a stranger, Habib, leading to unexpected consequences.
Key Themes: Friendship, cultural diversity, peer pressure.
Chapter 5: Habib’s Generosity and Roommate Conflicts
Habib meets Tomiwa and gifts her money and provisions, sparking jealousy in Salma. The roommates reconcile, showing the strength of their bond.
The chapter also explores Habib and Labaran’s friendship, highlighting loyalty despite their different social statuses.
Key Themes: Generosity, jealousy, friendship dynamics.
Chapter 6: Salma’s Exam Malpractice and Downfall
During her final Moral Philosophy exam, Salma panics and cheats with Kolawole’s help. She is caught, leading to her expulsion and Kolawole’s downfall.
Key Themes: Consequences of cheating, academic discipline, regret.
Chapter 7: Salma’s Desperate Attempts to Avoid Expulsion
Salma tries bribing the Examination Malpractice Committee but is scammed by a fake chairman (Mohammed Kabir). She implicates Kolawole, worsening her situation.
Key Themes: Corruption, desperation, accountability.
Chapter 8: Kabir’s Deception and Salma’s Transformation
Kabir, a gambling addict, tricks Salma into giving him money. Labaran and Zaki recover the money, but Salma remains devastated.
After her father’s death, Salma reflects on her mistakes and later accepts Salim’s marriage proposal, starting a new life.
Key Themes: Redemption, personal growth, consequences of deceit.
Chapter 9: The Dangers of Social Media (Salim’s Story)
Salim, Salma’s fiancé, falls for an online scam when a girl lures him into a robbery trap. He narrowly escapes, learning a hard lesson about trusting strangers online.
The novel ends with Omar’s family celebrating his admission, reinforcing the importance of wise choices and family support.
Key Themes: Cybercrime, social media risks, personal responsibility.
This novel is a must-read for JAMB candidates, offering moral lessons and relatable experiences for students navigating academic and personal challenges.
Download The Life Changer PDF for JAMB 2025/2026
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