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Free JAMB Past Question for history

Q.1

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.2

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.3

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.4

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.5

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.6

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.7

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.8

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.9

Indirect rule system did not work perfectly well in which of these states.

A. Hausa land

B. Zaria

C. Igbo land

D. Yoruba land


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

The British system of indirect rule worked relatively well in the hierarchical societies of Northern Nigeria (like Hausa land/Zaria) and to some extent in Yoruba land where there were established centralized authorities (Obas). However, it encountered significant difficulties and did not work perfectly in the largely acephalous (decentralized) and democratic (by consensus) societies of Igbo land in the East, where there were no pre-existing traditional rulers with widespread authority to co-opt.

Q.10

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.11

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.12

Man's earliest technology was based on

A. Iron

B. Copper

C. Stone

D. Brass


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Man's earliest technology period is known as the Stone Age. This era is characterized by the use of stone tools, which were fundamental to early human survival and development.

Q.13

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.14

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.15

The first Military Head of State was

A. Major General Yakubu

B. Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi

C. Major General Murtala Mohammed

D. Major General Olusegun Obasanjo


Correct Answer: option b

Show explanation

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi became the first Military Head of State of Nigeria following the January 1966 coup.

Q.16

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.

Q.17

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.18

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.19

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.20

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.

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