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Free JAMB Past Question for government

Q.1

In a democratic political system, the political sovereign is usually the

A. electorate

B. legislature

C. constitution

D. political parties

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

In a democratic political system, the electorate (the body of qualified voters) is considered the ultimate source of political power and authority. Through elections, they delegate power to their representatives, making them the political sovereign.

The constitution (C) is the legal sovereign, representing the supreme law.

Q.2

One important agent of political socialization is the

A. political party structure

B. party constitution

C. political party

D. electoral college


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire political attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Political parties play a significant role as agents of socialization by articulating ideologies, mobilizing citizens, and shaping political discourse. Other agents include family, schools, media, and peer groups.


Q.3

Ensuring that appointments into federal establishments in Nigeria reflect geographical spread is the sole function of the

A. Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission

B. Civil Service Commission

C. Federal Character Commission

D. Public Complaint Commission

Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) is specifically mandated to promote and enforce the "federal character" principle in public service appointments. This principle aims to ensure that appointments and promotions reflect the diversity of Nigeria's ethnic and geographical composition, preventing the dominance of any single ethnic group or region.

Q.4

One basic feature of a monarchical form of government is that

A. succession is through heredity

B. the ruler has a fixed tenure

C. separation of powers is absolute

D. members of the executive are elected

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

A fundamental characteristic of a monarchy is that the head of state (the monarch) inherits their position, typically through heredity (birthright), rather than being elected or appointed.

Q.5

The National Boundary Commission was established to address the problem of:

A) Corruption in the civil service.

B) Electoral fraud and malpractices.

C) Disputes over internal boundaries between states and local governments.

D) Public complaints against government officials.


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Public Commissions Established by the 1979 and Subsequent Constitutions

Show explanation

The National Boundary Commission is a public body established to manage and resolve disputes that arise over the boundaries of states, local governments, and even international borders

Q.6

Nigeria is a member of the following organizations except

A. North Atlantic Treaty Organization

B. The Commonwealth of Nations

C. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

D. African Union

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation
  1. Nigeria is a prominent member of The Commonwealth of Nations (B) due to its historical ties to the British Empire.
  2. Nigeria is a founding member and key player in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) (C) due to its significant oil production.
  3. Nigeria is a leading member of the African Union (AU) (D), promoting African unity and cooperation.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (A) is a military alliance primarily composed of North American and European countries. Nigeria is not a member of NATO.

Q.7

When a vote of no confidence is passed in a parliamentary system of government, it leads to the resignation of

A. The entire cabinet

B. The prime minister

C. An individual minister

D. The entire parliament

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

In a parliamentary system, a vote of no confidence (or censure motion) indicates that the legislature no longer has confidence in the executive. If such a vote passes, it typically leads to the resignation of the entire cabinet (including the Prime Minister), or it may trigger a general election.

Q.8

The head of the Nigeria Defence Academy is known as

A. The Commandant

B. The Director of Military Training

C. The General Officer Commanding

D. The Commander

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

The official title for the head of the Nigeria Defence Academy is the Commandant.

Q.9

What is a major problem faced by the civil service in Nigeria?

A) Lack of adequate funding.

B) Over-politicization and corruption.

C) The absence of a formal structure.

D) A high degree of public trust and accountability.


Correct Answer: option b

Further reading: The Civil Service

Show explanation

One of the significant problems of the civil service in Nigeria is its politicization and issues of corruption. The erosion of neutrality and professionalism due to political interference and corrupt practices has often hindered its effectiveness.

Q.10

The sources of international laws come from

A. Domestic and treaties

B. International law and treaties

C. Local courts and international courts

D. Customs, treaties, codified by authoritative bodies. courts and universal jurisdiction

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The primary sources of international law, as recognized by the Statute of the International Court of Justice, include:

  1. International conventions (treaties), whether general or particular.
  2. International custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law.
  3. The general principles of law recognized by civilized nations.

Judicial decisions (courts) and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law. Option D provides the most comprehensive and accurate list, including customs, treaties (codified by authoritative bodies), and the role of courts (and the concept of universal jurisdiction).

Q.11

What is a common problem associated with public corporations and parastatals in Nigeria?

A) Excessive political control and interference.

B) High levels of efficiency and profitability.

C) A complete lack of public funding.

D) Their non-profit orientation.


Correct Answer: option a

Further reading: Public Corporations and Parastatals

Show explanation

Public corporations in Nigeria often face significant challenges due to excessive political interference, which can lead to inefficiency, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability

Q.12

The necessary attributes of a state are

A. definite territory, population, sovereignty and government

B. police, army, sovereignty and custom

C. resources, population, sovereignty and government

D. sovereignty, police, army and immigration

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

This question re-states the fundamental conditions of statehood. The most widely accepted attributes are: a definite territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and sovereignty (the capacity to enter into relations with other states).

Options B, C, and D include elements that are either too specific (police, army, resources, custom) or not direct attributes in the same definitional sense.

Q.13

A structure of government in which power is shared between the center and the units is

A. con-federal

B. unitary

C. federalism

D. oligarchic


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Federalism is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between a central (federal) government and constituent political units (like states or provinces).

  1. Unitary (B) systems centralize power.
  2. Con-federal (A) systems have weak central governments and strong, independent units.
  3. Oligarchic (D) refers to rule by a small group.


Q.14

The ultimate aim of political parties is to

A. increase the political awareness of electorate

B. formulate and implement policies

C. implement people-oriented programmes

D. acquire and exercise power

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

While political parties may engage in increasing political awareness (A), formulating policies (B), and implementing programs (C) if they are in government, their fundamental and ultimate aim is to acquire and exercise political power (i.e., win elections and govern) in order to implement their agenda.

Q.15

The policy of assimilation was the colonial policy of the

A. British

B. French

C. German

D. Portuguese


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

The French colonial policy, particularly in West Africa, was characterized by the policy of assimilation. This policy aimed to integrate colonial subjects into French culture, language, and political systems, eventually granting them rights similar to French citizens if they adopted French ways.

The British, in contrast, largely favored a policy of indirect rule.


Q.16

The totality of Nigeria's participation in the international system is known as

A. International policy

B. Economics policy

C. Foreign policy

D. social policy


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Foreign policy is a government's strategy in relating with other nations. It encompasses all the goals, decisions, and activities that guide a nation's relations with other countries and international organizations.

Q.17

The needs of the citizens are made known to the government through

A. judiciary

B. civil service

C. political party

D. public opinion

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

Public opinion, expressed through various channels such as media, surveys, protests, and general sentiment, is a key way that the needs, desires, and preferences of citizens are communicated to the government.

  1. The judiciary (A) interprets laws.
  2. Civil service (B) implements policies.
  3. Political parties (C) aggregate interests but public opinion is the broader mechanism.

Q.18

Which of the following best describes totalitarianism?

A. Extreme decentralization

B. Devolution of power

C. Excessive centralization

D. Delegation of power

Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks to control virtually all aspects of public and private life. This is characterized by an excessive centralization of power in the hands of a single dictator or a small ruling elite, with minimal individual freedom and widespread state control.

Q.19

The major objective of pressure group is to

A. change government

B. influence government

C. form government

D. fund election

Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

Pressure groups (also known as interest groups) are organizations that seek to influence government policies and decisions without actually seeking to hold political power themselves (unlike political parties). They represent specific interests and advocate for their causes.

Q.20

Nigeria's policy of non-alignment during the Cold War meant that the country:

A) Was a member of the Eastern Bloc.

B) Supported the Western Bloc.

C) Refused to align with either the Western or Eastern power blocs.

D) Had no diplomatic relations with any country.


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Nigeria's Foreign Policy

Show explanation

Nigeria's non-alignment policy was a deliberate foreign policy stance during the Cold War where the country chose not to formally align with either the capitalist Western Bloc led by the USA or the communist Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union

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