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Free JAMB Past Question for history

Q.1

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.2

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.3

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.4

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.5

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.6

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.7

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.8

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.9

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.

Q.10

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.11

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.12

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.13

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.14

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.15

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.16

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.17

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.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

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.20

In 1886, the various European trading firms on the Niger combined to form the?

A. Royal Niger Company

B. European trading company

C. British trading company

D. Niger Delta trading company


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

In 1886, several British trading firms operating on the Niger River merged to form the Royal Niger Company. This company was granted a royal charter and played a significant role in the British colonization of Nigeria.

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