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Free JAMB Past Question for history

Q.1

By the constitutional reforms introduced in French West Africa in 1946

A. French citizenship was made available to any African who wanted it

B. French citizenship was acquired by naturalization

C. Assimilation was reinforced as an instrument of colonial policy

D. French citizenship was open to all Senegalese2


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The 1946 French Constitution (Fourth Republic) introduced reforms that, while granting some representation and rights, also reinforced the policy of assimilation. It extended citizenship to some, but often with conditions, and ultimately aimed to integrate the colonies more closely into France, thereby strengthening the assimilationist approach rather than offering outright universal citizenship to all Africans without conditions.

Q.2

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.3

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.4

How many regions did Nigeria have before 1966?

A. 6

B. 12

C. 3

D. 4


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Before the creation of 12 states in 1967 (and more later), Nigeria operated as a federation of three regions at independence in 1960: the Northern, Eastern, and Western Regions. A Mid-Western Region was created in 1963, making it four regions just before the 1966 coups, but the question implies the most significant structure. However, the common understanding of the "initial" regional setup is three.

Q.5

The peace accord to avert the Nigerian Civil War was held in which of these towns

A. Lagos, Nigeria

B. Aburi, Ghana

C. Timbuktu, Mali

D. Tokyo, Japan


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

The Aburi Accord was a meeting held in Aburi, Ghana, in January 1967, between representatives of the Nigerian Federal Military Government and the Eastern Region. It was an attempt to resolve the escalating political crisis and avert the civil war, though it ultimately failed.

Q.6

The NYSC scheme was created by

A. Sani Abacha

B. Olusegun Obasanjo

C. Yakubu Gowon

D. Odumegwo Ojukwu



Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established in 1973 by the military government of General Yakubu Gowon as a way of promoting national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.


Q.7

Before the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, Lagos was a

A. Protectorate

B. British Empire

C. Crown colony

D. Independent sovereign state


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Before the 1914 amalgamation, Lagos was annexed by the British in 1861 and was administered as a British Crown Colony. The Southern and Northern Protectorates were separate entities.

Q.8

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.9

One of the best-known commanders in the pre-colonial Africa was

A. Dan-fodío

B. Oseitutu

C. Dingane

D. Chaka Zulu


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

Shaka Zulu (often spelled Chaka Zulu) was a highly influential and feared Zulu military leader who revolutionized Zulu warfare and built a powerful Zulu kingdom in the early 19th century. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant military commanders in pre-colonial African history.

  1. Usman Dan Fodio (A) was a religious reformer and founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.
  2. Osei Tutu (B) founded the Ashanti Empire.
  3. Dingane (C) was Shaka's half-brother and successor.

Q.10

The origin of the modern day international political system can be traced to

A. 1688

B. 1778

C. 1776

D. 1648


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The origin of the modern international political system, characterized by the concept of state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, is widely traced to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

Q.11

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.12

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.13

The bloodiest in the British occupation of Nigeria was

A. Occupation of Igala

B. Occupation of Lagos

C. The occupation of Igbo land

D. Occupation of the Sokoto Caliphate


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The British conquest of the Sokoto Caliphate, particularly the campaigns of 1903 which involved significant military engagements and the death of Sultan Attahiru, was one of the most extensive and bloody phases of the British occupation of what became Nigeria.

Q.14

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.15

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.16

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.17

Who among these convened the Berlin Conference

A. Bismark

B. King Leopold

C. Adolf Hitler

D. King Jaja of Opobo


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885), which regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, was convened by the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck.

Q.18

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.19

Which of the following nations did not take part in the scramble for Africa?

A. Britain

B. Belgium

C. USA

D. Portugal


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The "Scramble for Africa" refers to the period of rapid colonization of the African continent by European powers between the 1880s and World War I.

Britain (A), Belgium (B), and Portugal (D) were major participants. The United States of America (C) did not participate in this scramble for territorial acquisition in Africa.

Q.20

The Yom-Kippur War is otherwise known as the

A. 1948 War

B. 1956 War

C. 1973 War

D. Sixth Day War


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The Yom Kippur War (also known as the October War or the 1973 Arab-Israeli War) was fought in 1973 between a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel. The Sixth-Day War (D) was in 1967.

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