2018 JAMB GOVERNMENT
Question 1
Which of the following is the foremost right of a citizen?
A. Religious right
B. Academic right
C. Right to life
D. Private life
Answer: C. Right to life
Explanation: The right to life is the foremost individual right. John Locke held that a state must safeguard its citizens’ life, liberty and property.
Question 2
Which of the following is a merit of aristocracy?
A. Leaders must have military experience.
B. The best citizen is in control of government
C. Organized few control the government
D. Majority control the government
Answer: B. The best citizen is in control of government
Explanation: Aristocracy places government in the hands of society’s most distinguished or capable citizens; its claimed benefit is that the most capable people govern.
Question 3
Which of the following is a strategy of foreign policy implementation?
A. Cultural integration
B. Democratic elections
C. Political representation
D. Propaganda
Answer: D. Propaganda
Explanation: Foreign policy comprises the aims, values and strategies a country pursues in its relations with others. Its instruments include diplomacy, armed conflict, economic measures, cultural tools and propaganda, but not cultural integration.
Question 4
The Structural Adjustment Programme was introduced under the regime of
A. Babangida Regime
B. Obansanjo regime
C. Buhari Regime
D. Abacha Regime
Answer: A. Babangida Regime
Explanation: Ibrahim Babangida’s administration introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme as an economic policy in 1986.
Question 5
To facilitate the effective achievement of its objectives, ECOWAS is operationally structured in
A. Councils
B. Panels
C. Committees
D. Commissions
Answer: D. Commissions
Explanation: Founded in Lagos on 28 May 1975, ECOWAS aims to integrate West African economies. It has established several commissions to help achieve this goal.
Question 6
Shortage of trained personnel is a major problem of the
A. Federal Government
B. State Government
C. Regional Government
D. Local Government
Answer: D. Local Government
Explanation: Nigerian local governments often lack trained workers because qualified candidates are reluctant to take poorly paid local posts.
Question 7
The right of a state is known as
A. Authority
B. Power
C. Sovereignty
D. Legitimacy
Answer: C. Sovereignty
Explanation: Sovereignty gives a state ultimate authority to apply its laws within its territory without outside interference, as well as recognition as an equal of other states.
Question 8
The popularity of a political party in a given democracy rests on its
A. Constitution
B. Manifesto
C. Ideology
D. Number of branches
Answer: B. Manifesto
Explanation: A party manifesto sets out what the party intends to do if elected. Its proposed policies can affect the party’s popularity.
Question 9
A system of local council that allows for rotational leadership is known as
A. Single executive
B. Dual executive
C. Multi executive
D. Collegiate executive
Answer: D. Collegiate executive
Explanation: Members of a council exercise executive power collectively, with leadership passing between them in rotation.
Question 10
A type of constitution that is difficult to amend is described as
A. Written and flexible
B. Rigid and written
C. Unwritten and rigid
D. Flexible and rigid
Answer: B. Rigid and written
Explanation: A constitution that is hard to change is rigid; when a state’s fundamental laws are collected in one document, the constitution is written.
Question 11
A political achievement of the UN is the promotion of
A. Economic development
B. Educational development
C. International peace and security
D. Democratic institution
Answer: C. International peace and security
Explanation: Established in 1945 to maintain world peace and security, the United Nations has helped avert a Third World War, thereby advancing that mission.
Question 12
Elective principle in Nigeria was first introduced by
A. Richards Constitution
B. Macpherson Constitution
C. Littleton Constitution
D. Clifford Constitution
Answer: D. Clifford Constitution
Explanation: The 1922 Clifford Constitution introduced the elective principle and extended voting rights to parts of Nigeria.
Question 13
The three major political parties of the First Republic can be said to have had
A. National outlook
B. Regional and ethnic undertone
C. Governmental funding
D. Religious and sectional appeals
Answer: B. Regional and ethnic undertone
Explanation: During the First Republic, Nigeria’s three leading parties had strong regional and ethnic bases: the AG in the West, the NCNC in the East and the NPC in the North.
Question 14
Development of the Civil Service relies on
A. Impartiality
B. Anonymity
C. Promotability
D. Neutrality
Answer: C. Promotability
Explanation: Every listed option other than C describes a feature of the civil service.
Question 15
The chief executive system is associated with
A. Federalism
B. Presidentialism
C. Parliamentary
D. Unitarianism
Answer: B. Presidentialism
Explanation: The President serves as chief executive in a presidential system, holding both ceremonial and governing powers.
Question 16
Public Corporations are mainly funded through
A. Foreign aid
B. Shareholder fund
C. Internally generated funds
D. Government subvention
Answer: D. Government subvention
Explanation: Public corporations are government-established enterprises that supply essential services at lower prices and receive most of their funding through government grants.
Question 17
Which of the following is the oldest Public Corporation in Nigeria?
A. Power Distribution Company of Nigeria
B. Nigeria Mining Corporation
C. Nigerian Railway Corporation
D. Nigerian Postal Services
Answer: C. Nigerian Railway Corporation
Explanation: Of the organisations listed, the Nigerian Railway Corporation is the oldest, with a history dating to 1898.
Question 18
In 1987, Nigeria attained a federation of
A. 19 states
B. 12 states
C. 21 states
D. 30 states
Answer: C. 21 states
Explanation: Nigeria had 21 states after Akwa Ibom and Katsina were created in 1987.
Question 19
The ombudsman aims at
A. Offering qualitative educational services
B. Rendering alternative dispute resolution services
C. Providing qualitative job opportunities
D. Entertaining complaints on abuse of public office
Answer: D. Entertaining complaints on abuse of public office
Explanation: Complaints about poor administration or misconduct by government officials are received and examined by an ombudsman.
Question 20
The apex body under the military regime of Yakubu Gowon was
A. Supreme Military Council
B. Federal Executive Council
C. The Armed Forces Ruling Council
D. The National Council of State
Answer: A. Supreme Military Council
Explanation: The Supreme Military Council was the top governing authority under Yakubu Gowon’s military administration.
Question 21
One of the problems of the Commonwealth of Nations is lack of
A. Finance
B. Administrative structures
C. Cultural heterogeneity
D. Capacity to enforce decisions
Answer: D. Capacity to enforce decisions
Explanation: Commonwealth members mainly work together voluntarily; the organisation has little authority to force compliance with its decisions.
Question 22
A major objective of the Public Complaints Commission is
A. Creating fair opportunities for all government employees
B. Training and promotion of public servants
C. Addressing grievances of individuals and group
D. Creating an efficient work environment
Answer: C. Addressing grievances of individuals and group
Explanation: Individuals and organisations can take grievances over administrative decisions to the Public Complaints Commission for investigation.
Question 23
Activities of pressure groups that influence governmental decisions are hampered by
A. Its size
B. Its leadership
C. Its affiliation
D. The economy
Answer: D. The economy
Explanation: Option D, the economy, is correct: economic conditions and available funding strongly affect how effectively a pressure group can lobby and influence policy.
Question 24
Which of the following is a major feature of democracy?
A. Capacity to influence people
B. Existence of political office holders
C. Decision making
D. Consent of the people
Answer: D. Consent of the people
Explanation: Democracy permits people to select leaders themselves or through representatives. Government by popular consent is one of its core features.
Question 25
The struggle for self-government from foreign rule is known as
A. Imperialism
B. Nationalism
C. Patriotism
D. Neo-colonialism
Answer: B. Nationalism
Explanation: Nationalism involves campaigning for self-rule and opposing foreign domination.
Question 26
Territorial defence in the Yoruba pre-colonial system was the responsibility of the
A. Bashorun
B. Oyomesi
C. Aremo
D. Aare-Ona-Kakanfo
Answer: D. Aare-Ona-Kakanfo
Explanation: As commander of the Oyo Empire’s army, the Aare Ona Kakanfo was responsible for defending its territory.
Question 27
An effective means of measuring public opinion is
A. A referendum
B. Radio interview
C. Letters to government
D. Telephone calls
Answer: A. A referendum
Explanation: Public opinion is the combined view of most citizens on a particular government policy. A referendum is an effective way to measure it.
Question 28
Universal Adult Suffrage permits all
A. Citizens to vote
B. Qualified male to vote
C. Qualified citizens to vote
D. Female to vote
Answer: C. Qualified citizens to vote
Explanation: Universal adult suffrage lets every eligible adult vote regardless of gender, schooling or social and economic standing.
Question 29
In the pre-colonial Emirate system, the emir of Gwandu controlled the
A. Central section
B. Southern section
C. Eastern section
D. Western section
Answer: D. Western section
Explanation: Within the emirate, the Emir of Gwandu governed the western zone and the Sultan of Sokoto the eastern zone.
Question 30
Both federal and state governments derive power from the
A. Residual list
B. Concurrent list
C. Exclusive list
D. Regional list
Answer: B. Concurrent list
Explanation: Both federal and state governments may make laws on concurrent-list subjects, such as education, health, agriculture and road building.
Question 31
A social group consisting of two or more people who interact and identify with one another is known as
A. Nation
B. Society
C. Government
D. State
Answer: B. Society
Explanation: Society is a community of interacting people who feel connected to one another.
Question 32
Which of the following Nigerian presidents initiated and facilitated the creation of NEPAD?
A. Goodluck Jonathan
B. Olusegun Obasanjo
C. Umaru Musa Yar’dua
D. Muhammadu Buhari
Answer: B. Olusegun Obasanjo
Explanation: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a significant role in establishing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in 2001.
Question 33
Nigeria became a Republic with the
A. 1979 Constitution
B. 1989 Constitution
C. 1960 Constitution
D. 1963 Constitution
Answer: D. 1963 Constitution
Explanation: The Constitution of 1963 is commonly called the Republican Constitution.
Question 34
Which of the following is a function of the civil service commission?
A. Enforcement of law and order
B. Payment of civil servants salaries
C. Discipline of erring civil servants
D. Protection of lives and properties
Answer: C. Discipline of erring civil servants
Explanation: A civil service commission oversees civil servants’ recruitment, transfers, promotions and discipline.
Question 35
The concentration of power in the component units is a merit of
A. Quasi-federal-system
B. Confederal system
C. Federal system
D. System
Answer: B. Confederal system
Explanation: In a confederation, the constituent units retain sovereignty and most governing authority, leaving the central body comparatively weak.
Question 36
In fascism, the leader is
A. Supreme
B. Democratic
C. Rich
D. Religious
Answer: A. Supreme
Explanation: In fascism, a leader holds extensive power and demands the population’s obedience.
Question 37
Delegated legislation, is the
A. Limitation of responsibilities to agencies
B. Transfer of responsibilities to agencies
C. Deterring of responsibilities of agencies
D. Facilitation of responsibilities of agencies
Answer: B. Transfer of responsibilities to agencies
Explanation: Delegated legislation arises when a legislature authorises another body to make rules within specified boundaries.
Question 38
Which of the following countries significantly contributed to the formation of ECOMOG?
A. Ghana
B. Gambia
C. Liberia
D. Nigeria
Answer: D. Nigeria
Explanation: Under General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria played a major part in creating ECOMOG in 1990.
Question 39
An important element of the doctrine of separation of powers is
A. Delegation of power
B. Checks and balances
C. Rule of Law
D. Concentration diffusion of powers
Answer: B. Checks and balances
Explanation: When government powers are divided among branches, each can check the actions of the others.
Question 40
Nigeria’s actions towards the external environment are embedded in her
A. State policy
B. Party policy
C. Government policy
D. Foreign policy
Answer: D. Foreign policy
Explanation: Foreign policy is the collection of strategies a country uses in its dealings beyond its borders.