JAMB Past Questions

Government 2025

40 free JAMB Government 2025 questions with correct answers and explanations.

Practice this set

Q1.The civil service cadre responsible for the general supervision and control of ministries is the

  • administrative
  • B.professional
  • C.executive
  • D.clerical

Explanation: The administrative cadre oversees ministries, ensuring policy implementation and coordination.

Q2.A disadvantage of the one-party system is that it

  • A.makes accountability difficult
  • negates freedom of association
  • C.emphasizes political differences
  • D.delays decision making

Explanation: A one-party system restricts freedom of association by limiting political party choices.

Q3.Citizenship refers to the

  • A.indigenous member of a state
  • B.social status of a person in a state
  • C.highest position in a state
  • legal status of a member of a state

Explanation: Citizenship is the legal status granting rights and duties within a state.

Q4.The rule of law is a cardinal principle associated with

  • democratic systems
  • B.federal systems
  • C.communist systems
  • D.feudal systems

Explanation: The rule of law ensures equality and justice, a key feature of democratic systems.

Q5.The main function of public opinion is to

  • A.change the policy of government
  • provide direction for public policy
  • C.support the policy of government
  • D.indoctrinate the people

Explanation: Public opinion guides policymakers by reflecting societal needs and preferences.

Q6.A typical form of delegated legislation is

  • A.act of parliament
  • B.decree
  • bye-law
  • D.gazette

Explanation: Bye-laws are delegated legislation made by local authorities under statutory powers.

Q7.A referendum is a device to ensure that

  • A.elections are free and fair
  • B.legislators vote to resolve contentious issues
  • C.bye-elections are held to fill vacant positions
  • decisions are effected with the consent of citizens

Explanation: A referendum seeks citizens' direct consent on major decisions, like constitutional changes.

Q8.One main weakness of a unitary system of government is that

  • A.it facilitates the domination of minority groups
  • B.the constitution can be amended easily
  • it is run as a single entity
  • D.carpet-crossing and opposition are made difficult

Explanation: A unitary system centralizes power, often neglecting local needs and diversity.

Q9.Pressure groups harmonize different individual concerns through interest

  • A.mobilization
  • aggregation
  • C.manipulation
  • D.articulation

Explanation: Pressure groups aggregate interests by combining individual concerns into unified demands.

Q10.The act of removing an elected official by the electorate is referred to as

  • A.impeachment
  • B.consensus
  • C.plebiscite
  • recall

Explanation: Recall allows voters to remove an elected official before their term ends.

Q11.One of the major sources of a constitution is

  • judicial precedence
  • B.political debate
  • C.opinion poll
  • D.executive order

Explanation: Judicial precedence shapes constitutions through court rulings on legal principles.

Q12.A characteristic of public opinion is that it is

  • A.positive
  • B.static
  • dynamic
  • D.negative

Explanation: Public opinion is dynamic, changing with new information and societal shifts.

Q13.Coalition government arises when

  • A.one of the parties has a majority in parliament
  • no party has a majority in parliament
  • C.two or more parties cooperate to pass a bill in parliament
  • D.the ruling party is defeated in parliament

Explanation: Coalition governments form when no party secures a parliamentary majority.

Q14.One of the central tenets of the fascist doctrine is that the leader is

  • supreme relative to the constitution
  • B.subordinate to the norms of the society
  • C.subordinate to the laws of the state
  • D.weak relative to the constitution

Explanation: Fascism places the leader above the constitution, emphasizing authoritarian control.

Q15.Which of the following electoral bodies in Nigeria conducted elections from 1979 to 1983?

  • A.National Electoral Commission
  • B.Independent National Electoral Commission
  • C.National Electoral Commission of Nigeria
  • Federal Electoral Commission

Explanation: The Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) managed Nigeria’s elections from 1979 to 1983.

Q16.Constitutionalism refers to the

  • A.process of operating a constitution
  • B.process of drafting a constitution
  • adherence to a constitution
  • D.amendment of an existing constitution

Explanation: Constitutionalism means strict adherence to a constitution’s principles and limits.

Q17.Under a presidential system of government, the legislature and the executive are

  • elected separately to a fixed term
  • B.elected separately to an unfixed term
  • C.appointed by the judiciary to a fixed term
  • D.appointed at the same time to an unfixed term

Explanation: In a presidential system, the executive and legislature are separately elected for fixed terms.

Q18.The Supreme Court, through its interpretation of the constitution, is a

  • A.protector of the state
  • guardian of freedom
  • C.participator in the politics of the state
  • D.preserver of the status quo

Explanation: The Supreme Court protects citizens’ freedoms by interpreting constitutional rights.

Q19.Separation of powers is a principle which enables each arm of government to

  • A.probe one another
  • B.overlap the functions of the other
  • carry out its constitutional functions
  • D.moderate the scope of the constitution

Explanation: Separation of powers ensures each government arm performs its distinct constitutional role.

Q20.The main attributes of a state are

  • population, territory, government, and sovereignty
  • B.the press, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary
  • C.federal, state, and local governments
  • D.government, the police, and the armed forces

Explanation: A state requires population, territory, government, and sovereignty to function independently.

Q21.The General Purpose Committee of the local government functions as a

  • A.committee for awarding contracts
  • cabinet of the local government
  • C.body responsible for supervising self-help projects
  • D.committee of the local government on public relations

Explanation: The General Purpose Committee acts as the local government’s cabinet, overseeing key decisions.

Q22.Nigeria observed the principle of collective responsibility between

  • A.1993 and 1999
  • B.1985 and 1993
  • C.1979 and 1983
  • 1960 and 1966

Explanation: Collective responsibility was practiced during Nigeria’s First Republic (1960-1966) under a parliamentary system.

Q23.The political party with the widest spread of membership in Nigeria during the Second Republic was the

  • A.GNPP
  • B.NPP
  • NPN
  • D.UPN

Explanation: The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had the broadest membership during the Second Republic (1979-1983).

Q24.Military intervention in Nigeria arose from

  • perceived incapacity of civilians to govern
  • B.military corporatism and egocentrism
  • C.international pressures for change
  • D.civilians' desire to give up power

Explanation: Military interventions, like the 1966 coup, stemmed from perceived civilian governance failures.

Q25.Federalism was introduced in Nigeria under the

  • Richards Constitution
  • B.Lyttelton Constitution
  • C.Macpherson Constitution
  • D.Independence Constitution

Explanation: The Richards Constitution of 1946 introduced federalism by creating regional assemblies in Nigeria.

Q26.Regional consciousness in Nigeria was introduced by the

  • A.Lyttelton Constitution
  • B.Clifford Constitution
  • C.Macpherson Constitution
  • Richards Constitution

Explanation: The Richards Constitution of 1946 established regions, fostering regional consciousness in Nigeria.

Q27.How many states were created in Nigeria in 1967?

  • A.21
  • B.19
  • 12
  • D.4

Explanation: General Gowon created 12 states in 1967 to weaken regional power before the civil war.

Q28.The day-to-day operation of a public corporation is the direct responsibility of the

  • management
  • B.union workers
  • C.supervising ministry
  • D.board of directors

Explanation: The management handles the daily operations of a public corporation, implementing board policies.

Q29.Under the independence constitution of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was

  • A.Head of State
  • Governor-General
  • C.Prime Minister
  • D.Lieutenant-Governor

Explanation: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the Governor-General, representing the Queen under the 1960 Constitution.

Q30.Which of the following contributed greatly to the introduction of the Clifford Constitution?

  • A.Nigerian National Democratic Party
  • B.Lagos Youth Movement
  • C.Nigerian Youth Movement
  • National Congress of British West Africa

Explanation: The National Congress of British West Africa’s advocacy led to the 1922 Clifford Constitution.

Q31.In Nigeria, the Local Government Service Commission is set up by the

  • A.local government councils
  • B.federal government
  • state government
  • D.local government chairmen

Explanation: State governments establish the Local Government Service Commission to manage staff.

Q32.In the 1930s, the political movement that challenged the NNDP domination of Lagos politics was the

  • NYM
  • B.AG
  • C.NPC
  • D.NCNC

Explanation: The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) challenged the NNDP’s dominance in Lagos during the 1930s.

Q33.Residual powers in the 1979 constitution of Nigeria were vested in the

  • A.local and state governments
  • state governments
  • C.federal government
  • D.local governments

Explanation: The 1979 Constitution vested residual powers in state governments, per the federal structure.

Q34.The Nigerian Public Complaints Commission as the Ombudsman suffers most from

  • A.poor knowledge of the workings of the public service
  • B.manipulation by political office holders
  • C.too many complaints to handle effectively
  • lack of power to enforce its decisions

Explanation: The Ombudsman’s effectiveness is limited by its inability to enforce decisions.

Q35.A characteristic of most pre-colonial governments in Nigeria is that they

  • A.had no defined functions
  • B.performed only executive functions
  • had no clear separation of powers
  • D.observed independence of the judiciary

Explanation: Pre-colonial Nigerian governments often lacked separation of powers, blending roles.

Q36.Prior to the formation of the OAU in 1963, Nigeria identified with the

  • Monrovia Group
  • B.Casablanca Group
  • C.Brazzaville Group
  • D.Libreville Group

Explanation: Nigeria aligned with the Monrovia Group, advocating a gradual approach to African unity.

Q37.In 1991, the African Economic Community Treaty was signed in

  • A.Addis Ababa
  • Abuja
  • C.Lome
  • D.Tripoli

Explanation: The African Economic Community Treaty was signed in Abuja in 1991.

Q38.The first African Secretary-General of the United Nations is

  • A.Kofi Annan
  • B.Joe Garba
  • Boutros Boutros-Ghali
  • D.Ibrahim Gambari

Explanation: Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian, was the first African UN Secretary-General (1992-1996).

Q39.Nigerians opposed the Defence Pact with Britain at independence because it

  • A.was forced on Nigeria by Britain
  • B.was very ambiguous
  • C.was of no benefit to Nigeria
  • offended their pride at independence

Explanation: The Defence Pact was seen as undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty, offending national pride.

Q40.The Technical Aid Corps scheme in Nigeria aims at strengthening relations with

  • A.countries in the Northern Hemisphere
  • B.countries in the Southern Hemisphere
  • African countries
  • D.West African countries

Explanation: The Technical Aid Corps scheme fosters ties with African countries through skilled manpower support.

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