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Free JAMB Past Question for history

Q.1

Who was the first indigenous Head of the Nigerian Army?

A. Major General Aguyi Ironsi

B. Lt General TY Danjuma

C. General O Obasanjo

D. General MR Mohammed


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was the first indigenous (Nigerian) General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army, appointed in February 1965, before becoming Head of State in January 1966.

Q.2

Ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empires were collectively referred to as

A. Forest States

B. Western Sudanese Empire

C. Eastern Sudanese Empire

D. None of the above



Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

The Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires were powerful and extensive empires that arose in the Sahel region of West Africa, which is historically referred to as the Western Sudanic belt or Western Sudanese Empires. They were located south of the Sahara Desert and played a crucial role in the trans-Saharan trade.


Q.3

The last war commander of the Third Marine Commando was

A. Murtala Muhammed

B. Olusegun Obasanjo

C. Mamman Shuwa

D. Benjamin Adekunle


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

While Benjamin Adekunle (D) was the first commander of the 3rd Marine Commando Division, Olusegun Obasanjo took over command from him in 1969 and led the division until the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.

Q.4

The symbol of FESTAC '77 was a

A. Benin art

B. Diama art

C. NOK art

D. Igbo Ukwu art

Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The symbol for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC '77), held in Lagos, Nigeria, was the replica of an ancient terracotta head from the Nok culture.

Q.5

......... ordered the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan

A. Joseph Stalin

B. President Obama

C. General De Gaulle

D. None of the above


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 by the United States, under the order of President Harry S. Truman. None of the listed options (Joseph Stalin, President Obama, General De Gaulle) are correct.

Q.6

The British conquered the Sokoto Caliphate during the reign of Sultan.

A. Bello

B. Maccido

C. Attahiru

D. Abubakar III


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The British, under Lord Lugard, formally conquered the Sokoto Caliphate in 1903 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Attahiru I. He was killed resisting the British forces at Burmi.

Q.7

The 1966 coup failed woefully in which of these regions?

A. Northern Region

B. Western Region

C. Eastern Region

D. All of the above


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

The first military coup in January 1966, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, was successful in the Northern and Western regions, where regional premiers were killed. However, it failed woefully in the Northern Region in terms of achieving its objectives to install a new government and prevent a counter-coup, as the Northern officers quickly organized to suppress it and eventually carried out their own counter-coup. Some sources might argue it was successful in eliminating political leadership across regions, but its ultimate political objective failed in the North, leading to its overall failure. However, a more direct interpretation is that it did not achieve its desired effect in the Northern Region.

Q.8

A major impact of the Trans-Saharan Trade on Nigeria was the introduction of

A. Finished European goods

B. Slave Trade and Slavery

C. Monetary Economy

D. Islam


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The Trans-Saharan Trade played a crucial role in the spread of Islam into West Africa, including parts of what is now Nigeria (especially the northern regions), beginning centuries before the arrival of Europeans.

Q.9

The Nigeria Civil War lasted for

A. 30 months

B. 15 months

C. 20 months

D. 24 months


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, lasted from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970, which is approximately 30 months.

Q.10

The Justice Oputa Panel in Nigeria was to address cases of

A. Human right abuses

B. Abuse of office

C. Assassinations

D. Corruption in the public service


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

The Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, commonly known as the Justice Oputa Panel, was set up by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 to investigate past human rights abuses in Nigeria.

Q.11

The Head of State that established Unitary System of Government in Nigeria was

A. Yakubu Gowon

B. Aguiyi Ironsi

C. Olusegun Obasanjo4

D. Muhammadu Buhari


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

In May 1966, Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, as the Head of State, issued Decree No. 34, which abolished the federal system and established a unitary system of government in Nigeria. This decree was met with significant opposition and contributed to the counter-coup of July 1966.

Q.12

The Premier of Western Region killed in a military coup in 1966 was

A. Awolowo

B. Michael Okpara

C. Col Kur Muhammad

D. S. L. Akintola


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, who was the Premier of the Western Region, was killed during the January 1966 military coup.

Q.13

The empire that lasted for so long in Western Sudan was

A. Ghana Empire

B. Sokoto Caliphate

C. Oro Empire

D. Kanem-Bornu Empire


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The Kanem-Bornu Empire (or Kanem-Borno) was one of the longest-lasting empires in African history, existing for over a thousand years (from around the 9th century to the late 19th century) in the region of Lake Chad, which is often considered part of the broader Western Sudanic region. While Ghana (A) and Mali also lasted for centuries, Kanem-Bornu's longevity is particularly notable. The Sokoto Caliphate (B) was much younger.

Q.14

The two main centres of Trans-Saharan Trade up to 1900 were

A. Katsina and Zaria

B. Kano and Lagos

C. Kano and Maiduguri

D. Sokoto and Katsina


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

Among the options, Kano (in northern Nigeria) was a major terminal for the western Trans-Saharan trade routes, and Maiduguri (near Lake Chad) was a significant hub for the eastern routes, particularly for the Kanem-Bornu Empire. Lagos (B) was a coastal city more involved in the Atlantic trade.

Q.15

The Nigerian Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) participated in the Second World War at

A. China

B. Japan

C. Burma

D. Malaysia


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The Nigerian Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) played a significant role in the Second World War, particularly in the Burma Campaign against the Japanese forces.

Q.16

The physical breakdown of national boundaries is characteristic of

A. Regionalization

B. Globalization

C. Deglobalization

D. None of the above


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

Globalization refers to the increasing interconnections and interdependence of countries and people worldwide. This process often involves the erosion or "breakdown" of traditional national boundaries in terms of trade, communication, culture, and governance, as interactions transcend physical borders.

Q.17

The first prominent political party established by Nigerians was

A. Action Group

B. Northern Peoples Congress

C. Nigerian Peoples Party

D. Nigerian National Democratic Party


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), founded by Herbert Macaulay in 1923, is generally considered the first prominent political party established by Nigerians with significant political activity.

Q.18

At independence Nigeria's first type of government was

A. Constitutionalism

B. Presidential

C. Monarchical

D. Parliamentary


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

At independence in 1960, Nigeria adopted a parliamentary system of government, with a Prime Minister as head of government and the Queen of England (represented by a Governor-General) as head of state. The presidential system was introduced later in 1979.

Q.19

Nok culture began in communities in?

A. South Africa

B. Nigeria

C. Ancient Egypt

D. Ancient Nubian civilization


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

The Nok culture is an ancient civilization that flourished in what is now Nigeria, particularly in the central part of the country. It is famous for its terracotta sculptures.

Q.20

The British Colonial administration was established in Nigeria by the use of

A. Friendship

B. Coercion

C. Trade and friendship

D. Coercion and diplomacy


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The British established their colonial administration in Nigeria through a combination of methods. While they initially used diplomacy (signing treaties, often under duress) and trade, they ultimately relied heavily on coercion and military force to overcome resistance and fully impose their rule.

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