JAMB History Syllabus
Every section, topic and candidate objective in the official JAMB History outline — 5 sections, 42 topics and 156 objectives.
- Sections
- 5sections
- Topics
- 42topics
- Objectives
- 156objectives
- Category
- Arts & Humanitiescategory
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Syllabus sections
5 sectionsTap a section to open it, then tap a topic to see its content and objectives.
1Section A: The Nigeria Area up to 1800
5 topics · 24 objectives
1Land and Peoples of the Nigeria Area
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. Geographical zones and the people.
Objective
Identify the geographical zones and the people within them.
Content
b. The people's relationship with the environment.
Objective
Establish the relationship between the people and the environment.
Content
c. Main physical features and the impact of geography on human activity, e.g., hunting, fishing, farming, etc.
Objective
Relate the impact of geography on human activity in the specific zones.
Content
d. Relations and integration among the peoples of different zones.
Objective
Comprehend the relationships among the various peoples of the Nigeria area.
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2Early Centres of Civilization
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. Nok, Daima, Ife, Benin, Igbo Ukwu and Iwo Eleru.
Objective
Highlight the main features of the early centres of civilization.
Content
b. Monuments and shelter systems: Kuyambana, Durbi-ta-Kusheyi, city walls, moats and palaces.
Objective
Examine the significance of various centres and establish the historical significance of monuments such as caves and rocky formations.
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3Origins and Formation of States in the Nigeria Area
8 content items · 8 objectives
Content
a. Central Sudan: Kanuri and Hausa states.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin and determine inter-state relations.
Content
b. Niger-Benue Valley: Nupe, Jukun, Igala, Idoma, Tiv and Ebira.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin and determine inter-state relations.
Content
c. Eastern Forest Belt: Igbo and Ibibio.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin and determine inter-state relations.
Content
d. Western Forest Belt: Yoruba and Edo.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin and determine inter-state relations.
Content
e. Coastal and Niger-Delta: Efik, Ijo, Itsekiri and Urhobo.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin and determine inter-state relations.
Content
i. Factors influencing their origin and migration.
Objective
Relate the different groups of people occupying the various zones to their traditions of origin.
Content
ii. Social and political organizations.
Objective
Account for their social and political organizations.
Content
iii. Inter-state relations, religion, war and peace.
Objective
Determine inter-state relations and highlight the differences between centralized and non-centralized (acephalous) states.
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4Economic Activities and Growth of States
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. Agriculture: hunting, farming, fishing, animal husbandry and horticulture.
Objective
Identify the various economic activities of the people and differentiate their economic activities and specialties.
Content
b. Industries: pottery, salt-making, iron-smelting, blacksmithing, leather-working, wood-carving, cloth-making, dyeing and food processing.
Objective
Identify the various economic activities of the people and differentiate their economic activities and specialties.
Content
c. Trade and trade routes: local, regional and long-distance trade, including the trade in slaves and trans-Saharan trade.
Objective
Relate trade and other economic activities to the growth of the states.
Content
d. Expansion of states.
Objective
Relate economic activities to the growth and expansion of the states.
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5External Influences
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
a. North Africans, Arabs and Tuaregs.
Objective
Assess the impact of contact with North Africa on the people and states south of the Sahara.
Content
i. Introduction, spread and impact of Islam.
Objective
Assess the impact of contact with North Africa on the people and states south of the Sahara.
Content
ii. Trans-Saharan trade.
Objective
Highlight the role of the Tuaregs in the trans-Saharan trade.
Content
b. Europeans: early European trade with the coastal states.
Objective
Examine the impact of early European contact with the coastal people.
Content
ii. The trans-Atlantic slave trade: origin, organization and impact.
Objective
Trace the origin, organization and impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Content
iii. Impact of early missionary activities in the coastal areas.
Objective
Outline the impact of early Christian missionary activities in the coastal areas.
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2Section B: The Nigeria Area, 1800–1900
9 topics · 32 objectives
1The Sokoto Caliphate
5 content items · 5 objectives
Content
The Sokoto Jihad: causes, course and consequences.
Objective
Examine the causes and course of the Jihad.
Content
a. The causes and the process of the Jihad.
Objective
Examine the causes and course of the Jihad.
Content
b. The establishment and administration of the Caliphate and relations with neighbours.
Objective
Examine the administrative set-up of the Caliphate and its relations with its neighbours.
Content
c. The achievements and impact of the Caliphate.
Objective
Examine the impact of the Caliphate.
Content
d. The collapse of the Caliphate.
Objective
Trace the internal and external factors that led to the collapse of the Caliphate.
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2Kanem-Borno
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. The long survival and collapse of the Saifawa dynasty.
Objective
Highlight the factors responsible for the long survival of the Saifawa dynasty and determine the factors that led to its collapse.
Content
b. Borno under the Shehus.
Objective
Examine Borno under the administration of the Shehus.
Content
c. Borno under Rabeh.
Objective
Assess the role of Rabeh in Borno's history.
Content
d. Borno and the Sokoto Caliphate.
Objective
Examine the historical relationship between Borno and the Sokoto Caliphate.
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3Yorubaland
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. The fall of the Old Oyo Empire.
Objective
Examine the causes and implications of the fall of the Old Oyo Empire.
Content
b. The Yoruba wars and their impact.
Objective
Examine the causes and effects of the Yoruba wars.
Content
c. The peace treaty of 1886 and its aftermath.
Objective
Assess the impact of the 1886 peace treaty.
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4Benin
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. Internal political and cultural development.
Objective
Examine Benin's internal political and cultural development.
Content
b. Relations with neighbours.
Objective
Examine Benin's relations with its neighbours.
Content
c. Relations with the Europeans.
Objective
Assess Benin's relationship with the Europeans.
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5Nupe
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. Internal political and cultural development.
Objective
Examine Nupe's internal political and cultural development.
Content
b. Relations with neighbours.
Objective
Assess Nupe's relations with its neighbours.
Content
c. Nupe Imperialism.
Objective
Highlight the scope and nature of Nupe Imperialism.
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6Igbo
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. Internal political and cultural development.
Objective
Examine Igbo internal political and cultural development.
Content
b. Relations with neighbours.
Objective
Assess Igbo relations with their neighbours.
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7Efik
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. Internal political and cultural development.
Objective
Examine Efik internal political and cultural development.
Content
b. Relations with neighbours.
Objective
Assess Efik relations with their neighbours.
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8European Penetration and Impact
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
a. European exploration of the interior.
Objective
Examine the motives for the exploration of the interior.
Content
b. The suppression of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Objective
Give reasons for the suppression of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Content
c. The development of commodity trade and rise of consular authority.
Objective
Trace the development of commodity trade and account for the rise of consular authority.
Content
d. Christian missionary activities.
Objective
Examine missionary activities in the area.
Content
e. The activities of the trading companies.
Objective
Assess the activities of the European trading companies.
Content
f. Impact of European activities on the coast and the hinterland.
Objective
Examine European activities and their impact on the coast and the hinterland.
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9British Conquest of the Nigeria Area
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. The first phase of the British conquest of Nigeria, 1851–1900.
Objective
Highlight the factors responsible for the bombardment and annexation of Lagos.
Content
b. Second phase of the conquest and motives.
Objective
Determine the reasons for the conquest and the methods used during the second phase.
Content
c. Methods of the conquest and its result.
Objective
Determine the methods used during the conquest and evaluate its results.
Content
d. Resistance to and aftermath of the conquest.
Objective
Examine the various acts of resistance to the conquest and evaluate its aftermath.
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3Section C: Nigeria, 1900–1960
6 topics · 29 objectives
1The Establishment of Colonial Rule up to 1914
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. Pacification and occupation of the territories.
Objective
Outline the various features and methods of British pacification and occupation of the territories.
Content
b. Resistance to pacification and occupation: the Ekumeku Movement in Asaba hinterland, 1898–1911, and the Satiru uprising of 1906.
Objective
Examine resistance to British pacification and occupation.
Content
c. Administration of the Protectorates.
Objective
Examine the administrative set-up of the Protectorates.
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2The Amalgamation of 1914
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. Reasons for the amalgamation.
Objective
Examine the reasons for the 1914 Amalgamation.
Content
b. Effects of the amalgamation.
Objective
Examine the effects of the 1914 Amalgamation.
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3Colonial Administration after the Amalgamation
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. Central administration: Legislative and Executive Councils.
Objective
Relate the composition of the central administrative set-up to its consequences.
Content
b. Indirect Rule: reasons, working and effects.
Objective
Identify the reasons for the introduction and workings of the indirect rule system and assess its effects.
Content
c. Local administrative institutions, Native Authorities, Native Courts and Native Treasuries.
Objective
Examine the local administrative units.
Content
d. Resistance to colonial rule: Egba Anti-Tax Agitation of 1918 and the Aba Women's Movement of 1929.
Objective
Account for the anti-colonial movements and their significance.
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4The Colonial Economy
7 content items · 7 objectives
Content
a. Currency, taxation and forced labour.
Objective
Examine the nature of the economy as it affected society under colonial rule.
Content
b. Infrastructure: transportation, post and telecommunications.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
Content
c. Agriculture.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
Content
d. Mining.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
Content
e. Industry.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
Content
f. Commerce.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
Content
g. Banking.
Objective
Examine the nature of the colonial economy and its effects on society.
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6Constitutional Developments, Nationalism and Independence
9 content items · 9 objectives
Content
a. The 1922 Clifford Constitution and the rise of Nigeria's first political party.
Objective
Highlight the significance of the Clifford Constitution of 1922.
Content
b. World War II and the agitation for independence.
Objective
Examine the effect of World War II on the agitations for independence and constitutional developments.
Content
c. The rise of nationalist movements.
Objective
Trace the emergence of the nationalist movement.
Content
d. The Richards Constitution of 1946.
Objective
Assess the role of the Richards Constitution in constitutional development.
Content
e. The Macpherson Constitution of 1951.
Objective
Assess the role of the Macpherson Constitution in constitutional development.
Content
f. Party politics: regionalism, federalism and the minority question.
Objective
Trace the development of party politics and its impact on regionalism and the minority question.
Content
g. Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
Objective
Assess the role of the Lyttleton Constitution in constitutional development.
Content
h. Constitutional conferences in Lagos in 1957 and London in 1958.
Objective
Examine the impact of the constitutional conferences on the move towards independence.
Content
i. The general elections of 1959 and independence in 1960.
Objective
Determine the factors that aided the attainment of independence.
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4Section D: Nigeria since Independence
11 topics · 25 objectives
1The Politics of the First Republic and Military Intervention
8 content items · 8 objectives
Content
a. Struggle for the control of the centre.
Objective
Give reasons behind the struggle for the control of the centre.
Content
b. Issue of revenue allocation.
Objective
Account for the controversies in revenue allocation.
Content
c. The 1962/63 census controversies.
Objective
Account for the controversies generated by the 1962/63 census.
Content
d. The 1963 Republican Constitution.
Objective
Highlight the key features and significance of the 1963 Constitution.
Content
e. Minority agitations.
Objective
Account for the controversies generated by minority agitations and the quest for the creation of states.
Content
f. The Action Group crisis and the general elections of 1964/65.
Objective
Examine the problems created by the Action Group crisis and the general elections of 1964/65.
Content
g. The coup d'état of January 1966 and the counter-coup of July 1966.
Objective
Analyse the consequences of the 1966 military intervention.
Content
h. The Ironsi regime.
Objective
Analyse the consequences of the 1966 military intervention and examine the Ironsi regime.
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2The Nigerian Civil War
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. Causes.
Objective
Examine the remote and immediate causes of the war.
Content
b. Course.
Objective
Examine the course of the war.
Content
c. Effects.
Objective
Assess the effects of the war.
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3The Gowon Regime
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Gowon regime.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Gowon regime.
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4The Murtala/Obasanjo Regime
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime.
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5The Second Republic
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Second Republic.
Objective
Evaluate the challenges and achievements of the Second Republic.
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6The Buhari Regime
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Buhari regime.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Buhari regime.
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7The Babangida Regime
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Babangida regime.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Babangida regime.
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8The Interim National Government (ING)
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
The role and challenges of the Interim National Government.
Objective
Examine the role and challenges of the Interim National Government.
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9The Abacha Regime
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
Challenges and achievements of the Abacha regime.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Abacha regime.
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10Transition to the Fourth Republic
1 content item · 1 objective
Content
The Abdulsalami regime, key actors in the transition process, and the growth and development of the Fourth Republic.
Objective
Assess the challenges and achievements of the Abdulsalami regime and examine the role of key actors in the transition process and the growth and development of the Fourth Republic.
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11Nigeria in International Organizations
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
a. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Objective
Examine the role of Nigeria in ECOWAS.
Content
b. African Union (AU).
Objective
Assess the role of Nigeria in the AU.
Content
c. Commonwealth of Nations.
Objective
Evaluate the role of Nigeria in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Content
d. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Objective
Assess the role of Nigeria in OPEC.
Content
e. United Nations Organization.
Objective
Examine the role of Nigeria in the UN.
Content
f. Nigeria's role in conflict resolution in the Congo, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Sudan.
Objective
Examine the role of Nigeria in conflict resolution in the Congo, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Sudan.
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5Part II: Africa and the Wider World since 1800
11 topics · 46 objectives
1Section A: West and North Africa — Islamic Reform Movements and State Building in West Africa
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. Relationship between Sokoto and other Jihads.
Objective
Establish the relationship between the Sokoto Jihad and other Jihads in West Africa.
Content
b. The Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar.
Objective
Compare the achievements of the Jihads of Seku Ahmadu and Al-Hajj Umar.
Content
c. The activities of Samori Toure.
Objective
Examine the activities of Samori Toure of the Madinka Empire.
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2Sierra Leone, Liberia and Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. The foundation of Sierra Leone and Liberia and the spread of Christianity.
Objective
Determine the factors that led to the founding of Sierra Leone and Liberia and examine their importance in the spread and impact of Christianity in West Africa.
Content
b. The activities and impact of Christian missionaries.
Objective
Assess the impact of Christian missionary activities in West Africa.
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3Egypt under Mohammed Ali and Khedive Ismail
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. The rise of Mohammed Ali and his reforms.
Objective
Determine the factors that aided Mohammed Ali's rise to power and his reforms.
Content
b. Mohammed Ali's relations with the Europeans.
Objective
Establish the relationship between Mohammed Ali's Empire and the Europeans.
Content
c. Ismail's fiscal policies.
Objective
Account for the fiscal policies of Ismail.
Content
d. The British occupation of Egypt.
Objective
Examine the reasons for the British occupation of Egypt.
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4Section B: Horn of Africa and Southern Africa — Ethiopia in the 19th Century
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. The rise of Theodore II and his attempt at the unification of Ethiopia.
Objective
Examine the factors that led to the rise of Theodore II as Emperor of Ethiopia and analyse the strategies adopted to achieve Ethiopian unification.
Content
b. Menelik II and Ethiopian independence.
Objective
Assess the role of Menelik II in the maintenance of Ethiopian independence.
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5The Mfecane
2 content items · 2 objectives
Content
a. The rise of the Zulu Nation.
Objective
Trace events in Nguniland before the Mfecane and determine the factors that led to the rapid rise of Shaka.
Content
b. Causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane.
Objective
Examine the causes, course and consequences of the Mfecane.
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6The Great Trek
3 content items · 3 objectives
Content
a. The frontier wars.
Objective
Determine the factors that led to the frontier wars.
Content
b. British intervention in Boer-African relations.
Objective
Account for British intervention in Boer-African relations.
Content
c. The Great Trek and its consequences.
Objective
Describe the nature of the Great Trek and examine its consequences.
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7Section C: Imperialism, Colonialism and Problems of Nation-Building in Africa — The New Imperialism and European Occupation of Africa
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. The New Imperialism in Africa.
Objective
Understand the concept of the New Imperialism and assess its justifications.
Content
b. European scramble for Africa.
Objective
Examine the causes of the scramble and the nations involved.
Content
c. The Berlin Conference.
Objective
Account for the significance of the Berlin Conference.
Content
d. The occupation and resistance by Africans.
Objective
Highlight African resistance to the occupation.
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8Patterns of Colonial Rule in Africa
6 content items · 6 objectives
Content
a. The British.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
Content
b. The French.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
Content
c. The Portuguese.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
Content
d. The Belgians.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
Content
e. The Germans.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
Content
f. The Spanish.
Objective
Examine and compare the patterns of colonial rule by the various European powers.
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9The Politics of Decolonization
4 content items · 4 objectives
Content
a. Colonial policies and African discontent.
Objective
Examine the policies employed by the colonial rulers and the magnitude of African discontent.
Content
b. The impact of the two World Wars.
Objective
Assess the impact of the First and Second World Wars on African nationalism.
Content
c. Nationalist activities and the emergence of political parties and associations.
Objective
Examine the emergence of nationalist activities, political parties and associations.
Content
d. Strategies for attaining independence.
Objective
Determine the strategies used in the attainment of independence.
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10Apartheid in South Africa
7 content items · 7 objectives
Content
a. The origin of Apartheid.
Objective
Trace the origin of Apartheid in South Africa.
Content
b. Rise of Afrikaner Nationalism.
Objective
Give reasons for the rise of Afrikaner Nationalism.
Content
c. Enactment of Apartheid laws.
Objective
Highlight Apartheid laws.
Content
d. Internal reactions to Apartheid and the suppression of African nationalist movements.
Objective
Relate internal reactions to Apartheid to the African struggle for majority rule.
Content
e. External reactions to Apartheid, the Frontline States, the Commonwealth of Nations, OAU and the UN.
Objective
Relate the contributions of African states and international organizations to the fight against Apartheid.
Content
f. The dismantling of Apartheid.
Objective
Identify the steps taken towards the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa.
Content
g. Post-Apartheid developments.
Objective
Assess post-Apartheid developments in South Africa.
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11Problems of Nation-Building in Africa
9 content items · 9 objectives
Content
a. Political and economic challenges and constraints.
Objective
Examine the political and economic problems faced by African countries in nation-building.
Content
b. Physical and environmental challenges.
Objective
Assess the effects of natural disasters on Africa.
Content
c. Ethnic and religious pluralism.
Objective
Determine the role of ethnic and religious problems in Africa.
Content
d. Military intervention and political instability.
Objective
Examine the role and implications of military interventions in African politics.
Content
e. Neo-colonialism and underdevelopment.
Objective
Examine the role and implications of neo-colonialism in Africa.
Content
f. Boundary disputes and threat to African unity.
Objective
Highlight the problems of boundary disputes.
Content
g. Civil wars and the refugee problem.
Objective
Establish the relationship between civil wars and refugee problems in Africa.
Content
h. Terrorism.
Objective
Examine the consequences of terrorism for African states and societies.
Content
i. Globalisation.
Objective
Enumerate the effects of globalisation on African nations.
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5
Social Development under Colonial Rule
4 content items · 4 objectivesContent
a. Western education.
Objective
Identify the scope of social development under colonial rule.
Content
b. Urbanization and social integration.
Objective
Examine the impact of urbanization on the people and the level of social integration among them.
Content
c. Improvement unions.
Objective
Identify the scope of social development under colonial rule.
Content
d. Health institutions.
Objective
Identify the scope of social development under colonial rule.
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