JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Government 2004
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2004 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which organ of government is responsible for interpreting the laws of Nigeria?

A. Executive
B. Legislature
C. Judiciary
D. Civil Service
Explanation

The judiciary interprets laws and resolves disputes through courts like the Supreme Court.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution recognizes how many tiers of government?

A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Explanation

The 1999 Constitution establishes three tiers: federal, state, and local governments.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

What is the primary function of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?

A. Legislation
B. Conducting elections
C. Judicial review
D. Policy implementation
Explanation

INEC organizes and conducts elections in Nigeria.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

In a federal system, power is shared between

A. Central and regional governments
B. Executive and legislature
C. Military and civilians
D. Traditional and modern rulers
Explanation

Federalism divides power between central (federal) and regional (state) governments.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The principle of checks and balances ensures that

A. Power is concentrated in one organ
B. Each organ of government controls the others
C. The executive dominates governance
D. Laws are made by the judiciary
Explanation

Checks and balances allow each organ to limit the others, preventing power abuse.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which Nigerian constitution introduced the presidential system of government?

A. 1960 Constitution
B. 1963 Constitution
C. 1979 Constitution
D. 1999 Constitution
Explanation

The 1979 Constitution introduced the presidential system, replacing the parliamentary system.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The concept of ‘Rule of Law’ emphasizes

A. Supremacy of the military
B. Equality before the law
C. Executive dominance
D. Traditional authority
Explanation

Rule of Law ensures everyone is subject to the law equally.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Who was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria?

A. Nnamdi Azikiwe
B. Ahmadu Bello
C. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
D. Obafemi Awolowo
Explanation

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria’s first Prime Minister (1960–1966).

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The exclusive legislative list in Nigeria is controlled by

A. State governments
B. Local governments
C. Federal government
D. Traditional rulers
Explanation

The federal government controls the exclusive list, including defense and foreign affairs.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which political party won the Nigerian general election in 1960?

A. Action Group (AG)
B. Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
C. National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC)
D. United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA)
Explanation

The NPC won the 1960 election, led by Ahmadu Bello.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘sovereignty’ refers to

A. Economic independence
B. Supreme authority of a state
C. Judicial autonomy
D. Military dominance
Explanation

Sovereignty is a state’s supreme power to govern without external interference.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

What is the minimum age for eligibility to contest for the Nigerian presidency?

A. 30
B. 35
C. 40
D. 45
Explanation

The 1999 Constitution sets the minimum age for presidential candidates at 40.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Nigerian Civil Service is primarily responsible for

A. Making laws
B. Implementing government policies
C. Conducting elections
D. Interpreting laws
Explanation

The Civil Service implements government policies and programs.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which international organization is Nigeria a founding member of?

A. United Nations (UN)
B. African Union (AU)
C. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
D. Commonwealth of Nations
Explanation

Nigeria was a founding member of the OAU (now AU), established in 1963.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘bicameral legislature’ refers to a legislature with

A. One chamber
B. Two chambers
C. Three chambers
D. No chambers
Explanation

A bicameral legislature has two chambers, like Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced

A. Federalism
B. Elective representation
C. Presidential system
D. Military rule
Explanation

The Clifford Constitution introduced elective representation for the Legislative Council.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which body is responsible for auditing Nigeria’s public accounts?

A. Central Bank of Nigeria
B. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
C. Office of the Auditor-General
D. Federal Inland Revenue Service
Explanation

The Office of the Auditor-General ensures transparency by auditing public accounts.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The concept of ‘separation of powers’ was popularized by

A. John Locke
B. Baron de Montesquieu
C. Thomas Hobbes
D. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Explanation

Montesquieu popularized separation of powers in ‘The Spirit of the Laws’ (1748).

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The First Republic in Nigeria ended due to

A. Economic recession
B. Military coup
C. Civil war
D. Colonial intervention
Explanation

The First Republic ended with a military coup on January 15, 1966.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘franchise’ in government refers to

A. The right to vote
B. Freedom of speech
C. Economic policy
D. Judicial independence
Explanation

Franchise is the right to vote in elections.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which Nigerian region had the highest representation in the House of Representatives under the 1963 Constitution?

A. Eastern Region
B. Western Region
C. Northern Region
D. Mid-Western Region
Explanation

The Northern Region had the highest representation due to its larger population.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘unitary system’ refers to a government where

A. Power is shared among regions
B. Power is centralized
C. Regions are autonomous
D. Traditional rulers govern
Explanation

A unitary system concentrates power in the central government.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Richards Constitution of 1946 aimed to

A. Grant full independence
B. Promote regionalism
C. Establish a military government
D. Abolish traditional institutions
Explanation

The Richards Constitution promoted regionalism by dividing Nigeria into three regions.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

What is the tenure of a Nigerian Senator under the 1999 Constitution?

A. 3 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 6 years
Explanation

Senators serve a 4-year term under the 1999 Constitution.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established in

A. 1963
B. 1975
C. 1981
D. 1999
Explanation

ECOWAS was founded in 1975 to promote West African economic integration.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘decree’ is associated with

A. Democratic governance
B. Military rule
C. Traditional leadership
D. Judicial rulings
Explanation

Decrees are laws issued by military governments.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which Nigerian leader introduced the ‘War Against Indiscipline’ campaign?

A. Olusegun Obasanjo
B. Muhammadu Buhari
C. Yakubu Gowon
D. Ibrahim Babangida
Explanation

Muhammadu Buhari launched the War Against Indiscipline in 1984.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established in

A. 1960
B. 1973
C. 1985
D. 1999
Explanation

The NYSC was created in 1973 to promote national unity.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘confederal system’ implies

A. Strong central authority
B. Loose association of states
C. Equal power distribution
D. Military governance
Explanation

A confederation is a loose union of autonomous states.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951 introduced

A. A federal system
B. Universal adult suffrage
C. A central legislative council
D. Military rule
Explanation

The Macpherson Constitution established a central legislative council.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Nigerian Supreme Court has the power of

A. Legislation
B. Judicial review
C. Policy implementation
D. Election conduct
Explanation

The Supreme Court exercises judicial review to ensure constitutional compliance.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘public opinion’ refers to

A. Government policies
B. Collective views of citizens
C. Judicial rulings
D. Military directives
Explanation

Public opinion is the collective attitudes of citizens on political issues.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which body regulates political parties in Nigeria?

A. National Assembly
B. INEC
C. Federal Executive Council
D. Supreme Court
Explanation

INEC registers and regulates political parties in Nigeria.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 introduced

A. Regional autonomy
B. Presidential system
C. Unitary system
D. Military governance
Explanation

The Lyttleton Constitution granted greater autonomy to Nigeria’s regions.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘political culture’ refers to

A. Laws of a state
B. Beliefs and attitudes toward politics
C. Economic policies
D. Military strategies
Explanation

Political culture includes values and attitudes shaping political behavior.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The Nigerian federal capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja in

A. 1975
B. 1985
C. 1991
D. 1999
Explanation

The capital moved to Abuja in 1991 under Ibrahim Babangida.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘ombudsman’ refers to an official who

A. Conducts elections
B. Investigates public complaints
C. Makes laws
D. Controls the military
Explanation

An ombudsman investigates complaints against government agencies.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which Nigerian leader was assassinated in the 1966 coup?

A. Yakubu Gowon
B. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
C. Nnamdi Azikiwe
D. Olusegun Obasanjo
Explanation

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was killed in the January 15, 1966 coup.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

Which of the following is a key feature of a democratic government?

A. Centralized power
B. Popular participation
C. Military control
D. Traditional rule
Explanation

Democracy emphasizes popular participation through voting and representation.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2004

The term ‘veto power’ refers to the ability to

A. Pass laws
B. Reject legislation
C. Conduct elections
D. Appoint judges
Explanation

Veto power allows an executive to reject legislation, subject to checks.

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