JAMB Government Syllabus
Every section, topic and candidate objective in the official JAMB Government outline — 4 sections, 33 topics and 102 objectives.
- Sections
- 4sections
- Topics
- 33topics
- Objectives
- 102objectives
- Category
- Arts & Humanitiescategory
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Syllabus sections
4 sectionsTap a section to open it, then tap a topic to see its content and objectives.
1Part I: Elements of Government
16 topics · 35 objectives
1Definition and Scope of Government
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Definition of Government as an institution, its characteristics and functions.
Objective
Define Government as an institution; state the characteristics of Government; explain the functions of Government.
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2Basic Concepts of Government
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Power, influence, authority, legitimacy and sovereignty.
Objective
Identify and explain the fundamental concepts in governance.
Content
Society, state, nation and nation-state.
Objective
Identify the fundamental concepts in governance; explain the relationship of the state to Government.
Content
Political processes, including political socialization, political participation and political culture.
Objective
Analyse various political processes; identify and explain the fundamental concepts in governance.
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3Forms of Government
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, autocracy, republicanism and democracy, including their definitions, features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Distinguish between different forms of Government; discuss the features of each form of Government.
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4Arms of Government
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
The Legislature: types, structure, functions and powers.
Objective
Identify the duties and obligations of the various arms of Government and their agencies; relate each arm to its functions; appreciate how the arms interrelate.
Content
The Executive: types, functions and powers.
Objective
Identify the duties and obligations of the various arms of Government and their agencies; relate each arm to its functions; appreciate how the arms interrelate.
Content
The Judiciary: functions, powers and components.
Objective
Identify the duties and obligations of the various arms of Government and their agencies; relate each arm to its functions; appreciate how the arms interrelate.
Content
Relationships among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
Objective
Explain the relationships among the arms of Government and appreciate how they interrelate.
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5Structures of Governance
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Unitary structure: features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various political structures of governance; understand the reasons for adopting each structure.
Content
Federal structure: features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various political structures of governance; understand the reasons for adopting each structure.
Content
Confederal structure: features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various political structures of governance; understand the reasons for adopting each structure.
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6Systems of Governance
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Presidential, parliamentary and monarchical systems, including their features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Distinguish between different systems of governance; analyse the features, merits and demerits of each system.
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7Political Ideologies
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Communalism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, totalitarianism, fascism, Nazism and liberalism.
Objective
Differentiate between the major political ideologies; contrast their modes of production.
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8Constitution
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Meaning, sources and functions of a constitution.
Objective
Define a constitution; identify its sources and functions.
Content
Types of constitution: written, unwritten, rigid and flexible.
Objective
Identify the sources and functions of constitutions; compare the nature of different constitutions.
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9Principles of Democratic Government
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Ethics and accountability in public office; separation of powers; checks and balances; individual and collective responsibility; constitutionalism; rule of law; representative government; centralization and decentralization of Government.
Objective
Identify the principles of democratic Government; determine how these principles are applied.
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10Processes of Legislation
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Legislative enactments, including Acts, Edicts, Bye-laws, delegated legislation and Decrees.
Objective
Analyse the processes involved in making laws.
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11Citizenship
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Meaning and types of citizenship.
Objective
Differentiate between the various methods of acquiring citizenship.
Content
Citizenship rights.
Objective
Specify the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.
Content
Dual citizenship, renunciation and deprivation of citizenship.
Objective
Differentiate between the various methods of acquiring citizenship and explain circumstances affecting citizenship.
Content
Duties and obligations of citizens.
Objective
Specify the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.
Content
Duties and obligations of the state.
Objective
Assess the obligations of the state.
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12The Electoral Process
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Suffrage or franchise: evolution and types.
Objective
Distinguish between different types of franchise.
Content
Elections: types, ingredients of free and fair elections, and pre-election and post-election crises.
Objective
Distinguish between the different types of franchise; identify and explain the types of electoral systems; analyse the various electoral processes.
Content
Electoral systems: types, advantages and disadvantages of each.
Objective
Identify and explain the types of electoral systems; analyse the various electoral processes.
Content
Electoral commissions: functions and problems.
Objective
Analyse the various electoral processes, including the functions and problems of electoral commissions.
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13Political Parties and Party Systems
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Political parties: definition, organization and functions.
Objective
Assess the role of political parties; distinguish between types of party systems.
Content
Party systems: definition, organization, functions, merits and demerits.
Objective
Assess the role of political parties; distinguish between types of party systems and their characteristics.
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14Pressure Groups
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Definition, types, functions and modes of operation of pressure groups.
Objective
Evaluate the functions and methods of operation of pressure groups.
Content
Differences between pressure groups and political parties.
Objective
Distinguish between pressure groups and political parties.
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15Public Opinion
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Meaning, formation and measurement of public opinion.
Objective
Compare methods of assessing public opinion.
Content
Functions and limitations of public opinion.
Objective
Assess the functions of public opinion; analyse its limitations.
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16The Civil Service and Public Service
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Civil service: definition, characteristics, functions, structure, control and problems.
Objective
Analyse the significance of the civil service in governance; distinguish between the civil service and public service.
Content
Public service: definition, characteristics, functions, structure, control and problems.
Objective
Analyse the significance of the public service in governance; distinguish between the civil service and public service.
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2Part II: Political Development in Nigeria
12 topics · 49 objectives
1Pre-Colonial Polities
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Pre-jihad Hausa/Fulani emirates, Tiv, Igbo and Yoruba political systems.
Objective
Appreciate the effectiveness of pre-colonial political systems; compare pre-colonial systems of governance.
Content
Structural organization of pre-colonial political systems.
Objective
Compare pre-colonial systems of governance and understand their structural organization.
Content
Functions of the various political institutions in pre-colonial societies.
Objective
Appreciate the effectiveness of pre-colonial political systems; explain the functions of their political institutions.
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2Imperialist Penetration
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
British acquisition of territories through trade, missionary activities, company rule, Crown Colony administration and protectorates.
Objective
Trace the processes of imperialist penetration; assess the impact of British colonial policies.
Content
British colonial administrative policies: direct rule and indirect rule.
Objective
Trace the processes of imperialist penetration; assess the impact of British colonial policies; distinguish between British and French colonial practices.
Content
French colonial administrative policies: assimilation and association.
Objective
Assess the impact of French colonial policies; distinguish between British and French colonial practices.
Content
Economic, political and socio-cultural impacts of British colonial rule.
Objective
Assess the impact of British colonial policies.
Content
Comparison of British and French colonial administration.
Objective
Compare British and French colonial administration and distinguish between their colonial practices.
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3Process of Decolonization
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Nationalism: meaning and types.
Objective
Evaluate the process of decolonization.
Content
Nationalist movements: emergence, goals and strategies.
Objective
Evaluate the process of decolonization; assess the roles of nationalist leaders and parties.
Content
Nationalist leaders, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Ladipo Solanke, Aminu Kano, J. S. Tarka, Tafawa Balewa and others.
Objective
Assess the roles of nationalist leaders in the struggle for independence.
Content
Emergence of nationalist political parties.
Objective
Evaluate the process of decolonization; assess the roles of nationalist leaders and parties.
Content
Influence of external factors, including Pan-Africanism, Back-to-Africa movements and the Second World War.
Objective
Assess the impact of external forces and ideas on decolonization.
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4Constitutional Development in Nigeria
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Hugh Clifford Constitution of 1922: features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various constitutional developments; analyse the merits and demerits of each constitution.
Content
Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946: features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various constitutional developments; analyse the merits and demerits of each constitution.
Content
John Macpherson Constitution of 1951: features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various constitutional developments; analyse the merits and demerits of each constitution.
Content
Oliver Lyttleton Constitution of 1954: features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various constitutional developments; analyse the merits and demerits of each constitution.
Content
Independence Constitution of 1960: features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Compare the various constitutional developments; analyse the merits and demerits of each constitution.
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5Post-Independence Constitutions
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
The 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions, as amended, including their characteristics and shortcomings.
Objective
Assess the workings of the various constitutions; analyse the merits and demerits of Nigeria's post-independence constitutions.
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6Institutions of Government in Post-Independence Nigeria
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
The Legislature: structure, functions and workings.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the arms of Government and their agencies, including legislative institutions.
Content
The Executive: structure, functions and workings.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the arms of Government and their agencies, including executive institutions.
Content
The Judiciary: structure, functions and workings.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the arms of Government and their agencies, including judicial institutions.
Content
Government agencies and institutions, including the civil service, Armed Forces, Police and courts.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the arms of Government and their agencies.
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7Public Commissions Established by the 1979 and Subsequent Constitutions
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
The Civil Service Commission, Public Complaints Commission, electoral commissions, National Boundary Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other public commissions.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of public commissions; assess the problems and constraints faced by public commissions.
Content
Objectives and functions of public commissions.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of public commissions and assess their effectiveness.
Content
Problems and constraints of public commissions.
Objective
Assess the problems and constraints faced by public commissions.
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8Political Parties and Party Politics in Post-Independence Nigeria
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Political parties and party politics during the First Republic.
Objective
Contrast political processes in the different republics; evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of political parties.
Content
Political parties and party politics during the Second Republic.
Objective
Contrast political processes in the different republics; evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of political parties.
Content
Political parties and party politics during the Third Republic.
Objective
Contrast political processes in the different republics; evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of political parties.
Content
Political parties and party politics during the Fourth Republic.
Objective
Contrast political processes in the different republics; evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of political parties.
Content
Evolution, membership spread, structure and organization of political parties across the republics.
Objective
Evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of political parties; compare political processes across the republics.
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9The Structure and Workings of Nigerian Federalism
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Rationale for adopting a federal system in Nigeria.
Objective
Examine the workings of Nigerian federalism.
Content
Tiers of Government and their relationships.
Objective
Examine the workings of Nigerian federalism and identify its problems.
Content
Creation of states in 1963, 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991 and 1996.
Objective
Examine the workings of Nigerian federalism; identify the historical development of its federal structure.
Content
Problems of Nigerian federalism, including census disputes, revenue allocation and conflicts.
Objective
Identify the problems of Nigerian federalism; evaluate corrective measures.
Content
Solutions to problems of federalism, including the Federal Character Principle.
Objective
Evaluate corrective measures that can address the problems of Nigerian federalism.
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10Public Corporations and Parastatals
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Definition, types, purposes and functions of public corporations and parastatals.
Objective
Examine the operations of public corporations and parastatals.
Content
Finance, control and problems of public corporations and parastatals.
Objective
Examine the operations and problems of public corporations and parastatals.
Content
Deregulation, privatization and commercialization: objectives, features, merits and demerits.
Objective
Identify the processes involved in privatization and commercialization; assess their economic importance.
Content
Comparison between public corporations and parastatals.
Objective
Examine the operations of public corporations and parastatals and distinguish between them.
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11Local Government
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
Local Government administration in Nigeria before 1976.
Objective
Trace the evolution and structure of Local Government.
Content
Features of the 1976 and 1989 Local Government reforms, including structure, functions, finance and intergovernmental relations.
Objective
Trace the evolution and structure of Local Government; identify the major problems faced by Local Governments.
Content
Traditional rulers and Local Governments.
Objective
Analyse the roles of traditional rulers in the Nigerian Local Government system.
Content
Problems of Local Government administration in Nigeria.
Objective
Identify and analyse the major problems faced by Local Governments.
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12The Military in Nigerian Politics
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
Factors that led to military intervention in Nigerian politics.
Objective
Evaluate the reasons given for military intervention.
Content
Structure of military regimes.
Objective
Evaluate the operation and organization of military regimes.
Content
Political impacts of military rule, including state creation, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the introduction of a unitary system through Unification Decree No. 34.
Objective
Assess the achievements of military rule; evaluate its political impacts.
Content
Economic and social programmes under military rule, including the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), People's Bank and MAMSER.
Objective
Assess the achievements of military rule and evaluate its economic and social impacts.
Content
Processes of military disengagement from politics.
Objective
Determine the conditions that necessitated military withdrawal from the political scene.
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3Part III: Foreign Policy and Nigeria's Relationship with the International Community
4 topics · 12 objectives
1Foreign Policy
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Definition and purpose of foreign policy; factors determining foreign policy; formulation and implementation.
Objective
Define foreign policy; identify and explain the factors that determine foreign policy.
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2Nigeria's Foreign Policy
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
Nigeria's relations with major powers.
Objective
Identify the major objectives of Nigeria's foreign policy.
Content
Nigeria's relations with developing countries, including the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) and peacekeeping operations.
Objective
Identify the major objectives of Nigeria's foreign policy and analyse Nigeria's international relationships.
Content
Nigeria's policy of non-alignment.
Objective
Analyse Nigeria's non-aligned posture during the Cold War.
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3Nigeria's Relations with African Countries
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria's foreign policy: guiding principles, implementation and implications.
Objective
Evaluate Nigeria's role in continental affairs.
Content
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): origin, objectives and implications.
Objective
Assess the role of NEPAD in developing Africa.
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4Nigeria in International Organizations
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
Nigeria and the United Nations (UN).
Objective
Analyse the dynamics of Nigeria's involvement in international organizations; assess their contributions to Nigeria's development.
Content
Nigeria and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Objective
Analyse Nigeria's involvement in international organizations and assess their contributions to Nigeria's development.
Content
Nigeria and the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
Objective
Evaluate Nigeria's involvement in African and international organizations.
Content
Nigeria and the African Union (AU).
Objective
Evaluate Nigeria's role in continental affairs and assess the contributions of international organizations to Nigeria's development.
Content
Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Objective
Analyse Nigeria's involvement in international organizations and assess their contributions to Nigeria's development.
Content
Nigeria and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Objective
Analyse Nigeria's involvement in international organizations and assess their contributions to Nigeria's development.
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4Part IV: International Organizations
1 topic · 6 objectives
1International Organizations
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of ECOWAS; assess its role in world affairs; appreciate its challenges and how they can be overcome.
Content
The Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union (AU): origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the OAU and AU; assess their roles in world affairs; appreciate their challenges and how they can be overcome.
Content
The Commonwealth of Nations: origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the Commonwealth; assess its role in world affairs; appreciate its challenges and how they can be overcome.
Content
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of OPEC; assess its role in world affairs; appreciate its challenges and how they can be overcome.
Content
The United Nations Organization (UNO): origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the United Nations; assess its role in world affairs; appreciate its challenges and how they can be overcome.
Content
The African Petroleum Producers Association: origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects.
Objective
Evaluate the operations of the organization; assess its role in world affairs; appreciate its challenges and how they can be overcome.
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