JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Government 2009
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2009 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

ECOWAS is ?

A. an international military/defence organization
B. a regional economic organization
C. a trans-national religious group
D. a West African English-speaking organization
Explanation

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is a regional economic organization established to promote economic integration and cooperation among West African states.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following is NOT a member of ECOWAS?

A. Nigeria
B. Togo
C. Ghana
D. Cameroon
Explanation

Cameroon is not a member of ECOWAS, which comprises 15 West African states, including Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The Lyttleton Constitution is important because it

A. confirmed Nigeria’s independence in 1960
B. introduced franchise into Nigerian federal structure
C. introduced a federal system into Nigeria
D. made Nigeria sovereign
Explanation

The Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 established a federal system in Nigeria, granting greater autonomy to the regions and laying the foundation for federal governance.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Judges in Nigeria enjoy security of tenure

A. if appointed by the president
B. if supported by the Nigerian Bar Association
C. if they are of good behaviour
D. during the life of the appointing government
Explanation

Judges in Nigeria enjoy security of tenure if they exhibit good behaviour, as stipulated in the constitution, ensuring judicial independence.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Before the 1963 Constitution, the highest court of appeal for Nigeria was the

A. Supreme Court
B. Federal High Court of Appeal
C. Federal High Court
D. Privy Council
Explanation

Prior to the 1963 Constitution, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain served as Nigeria’s highest court of appeal during colonial rule.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Public opinion is important because it

A. dictates government actions
B. allows police to identify troublemakers
C. protects minorities
D. influences government policies
Explanation

Public opinion shapes government policies by reflecting the views and preferences of citizens, guiding decision-making processes.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Universal Adult Suffrage means all

A. adult citizens can vote
B. citizens can vote
C. qualified citizens can vote
D. literates can vote
Explanation

Universal Adult Suffrage refers to the right of all qualified adult citizens, meeting legal requirements such as age and voter registration, to vote.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

In a democracy, sovereignty is vested in

A. the community
B. public officials
C. judges
D. the Head of State
Explanation

In a democracy, sovereignty resides in the community, as the people hold ultimate authority through their electoral participation.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

A bill that applies to the whole population and is intended to promote the general welfare is called

A. a private bill
B. a decree
C. an appropriation bill
D. a public bill
Explanation

A public bill addresses the entire population and aims to promote general welfare, such as legislation on health or education.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The rule of law implies

A. the absence of a military government
B. that only the Head of State is above the law
C. that no one is above the law
D. that only the chief justice is above the law
Explanation

The rule of law ensures that no one, including government officials, is above the law, promoting equality and justice.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

A one-party system of government

A. is found only in Africa
B. allows no official opposition
C. does not provide for a legislature
D. requires identical citizen views
Explanation

A one-party system prohibits official opposition, as only the ruling party is legally recognized, centralizing political power.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

A constitution is classified as unwritten because it

A. is used in Britain
B. has no written records
C. provides clear separation of powers
D. is not contained in any one document
Explanation

An unwritten constitution, such as Britain’s, is not codified in a single document but consists of statutes, conventions, and judicial precedents.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The most basic property of pressure groups which differentiates them from political parties is that they

A. are not interested in politics
B. do not have permanent organizations
C. do not seek to influence public opinion
D. do not nominate candidates as their own official representatives
Explanation

Pressure groups aim to influence policy but do not nominate candidates for elections, distinguishing them from political parties.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

In a presidential system of government, ministers are

A. collectively responsible to the Senate
B. collectively responsible to the president
C. individually responsible to the president
D. individually responsible to no one
Explanation

In a presidential system, ministers are individually accountable to the president, who appoints and can dismiss them.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The three principal organs of government are the

A. Legislature, the Public Service, and Judiciary
B. Political Parties, the Executive, and the Judiciary
C. Legislature, the Civil Service, and the Judiciary
D. Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary
Explanation

The principal organs of government are the Legislature (makes laws), the Executive (implements laws), and the Judiciary (interprets laws).

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The fundamental rights of citizens are

A. salvation, property, freedom of thoughts
B. employment, property, and social security
C. life, liberty, and property
D. free education, peaceable assembly, and freedom of movement
Explanation

Fundamental rights in Nigeria’s constitution include the right to life, liberty, and property, ensuring basic human protections.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

In a democracy, franchise is given to all

A. resident adults
B. citizens
C. citizens except the armed forces
D. qualified adult citizens
Explanation

Franchise is extended to qualified adult citizens, meaning those who meet legal criteria such as age and voter registration.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental human right in Nigeria?

A. Right to education
B. Right to life
C. Right to personal liberty
D. Freedom of thought
Explanation

The right to education is a policy objective in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, not a fundamental right, unlike life, liberty, and freedom of thought.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Proportional representation is recommended because it

A. favours small parties
B. is simple to operate
C. is used in the British system
D. gives representation to minorities
Explanation

Proportional representation allocates seats based on vote share, ensuring minorities and smaller parties are represented.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

In a system in which the voters are asked a 'yes' or 'no' question on a major issue, it is called

A. an indirect election
B. a referendum
C. a by-election
D. a general election
Explanation

A referendum allows voters to answer 'yes' or 'no' on a specific issue, such as constitutional changes, reflecting direct democracy.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

A political manifesto is a document which outlines

A. a country’s development
B. a party’s programme
C. the national policy
D. the political development
Explanation

A political manifesto details a party’s programme, including its policies and plans for governance if elected.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

One argument against a multi-party system is the

A. inability to develop the nation
B. encouragement of opposition
C. ability to attract foreign investment
D. cost of conducting elections
Explanation

A multi-party system increases the cost of elections due to the resources needed to manage multiple parties and campaigns.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Pre-colonial Igbo society was

A. centralized
B. acephalous
C. feudal
D. capitalist
Explanation

Pre-colonial Igbo society was acephalous, governed by decentralized village councils and elders without a central authority.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following ethnic groups had centralized administration in pre-colonial Nigeria?

A. Ibibio
B. Ijaw
C. Tiv
D. Hausa
Explanation

The Hausa operated a centralized administration through emirates under the Sokoto Caliphate in pre-colonial Nigeria.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The British Government revoked the charter of the Royal Niger Company and took over the direct administration of Nigeria in

A. 1861
B. 1900
C. 1906
D. 1914
Explanation

In 1900, the British revoked the Royal Niger Company’s charter, assuming direct colonial administration of Nigeria.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The Minorities Commission appointed in 1957 was headed by

A. Sir Henry Willink
B. Justice Udo Udoma
C. Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh
D. Sir Allan Lennox-Boyd
Explanation

The Minorities Commission, established in 1957 to address ethnic minority concerns before Nigeria’s independence, was chaired by Sir Henry Willink.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The Zikist Movement was popular for its

A. philosophy of non-violence
B. promotion of mass literacy
C. militant nationalism
D. encouragement of multi-party system
Explanation

The Zikist Movement, inspired by Nnamdi Azikiwe, advocated militant nationalism, pushing for rapid independence through radical activism.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following sets of factors contributed to the development of nationalism in Nigeria?

A. Racial discrimination and oppression
B. Corruption and ethnic rivalry
C. Paternalism and indirect rule
D. Election malpractices and party differences
Explanation

Racial discrimination and oppression under colonial rule united Nigerians, fostering nationalism to demand self-governance.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Lagos Colony was created as a separate entity from the Southern Provinces in

A. 1861
B. 1886
C. 1906
D. 1914
Explanation

Lagos Colony was established as a separate administrative entity from the Southern Provinces in 1886 under British colonial rule.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following has served as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council?

A. Britain
B. China
C. France
D. Nigeria
Explanation

Nigeria has served multiple terms as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, unlike Britain, China, and France, which are permanent members.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Aristocracy is the system of government in which the few rule for

A. their own benefit
B. the benefit of their friends
C. the benefit of all
D. the benefit of the community
Explanation

Aristocracy involves governance by a small, privileged elite, typically prioritizing their own interests.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The two primary elements in politics are

A. war and peace
B. order and conflict
C. patriotism and economic sabotage
D. nationalism and freedom
Explanation

Politics centers on order (establishing governance structures) and conflict (managing competing interests), which drive political processes.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

A nation state is synonymous with a

A. sovereign state
B. dependent territory
C. nation
D. political community
Explanation

A nation-state is a sovereign state where the population shares a common identity, making 'sovereign state' the closest synonym.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Legislative supremacy exists in

A. Britain
B. France
C. Soviet Union
D. Nigeria
Explanation

Britain’s unwritten constitution grants legislative supremacy to Parliament, which holds ultimate legal authority without judicial override.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Presidentialism is a system of government in which

A. there is an elected head of state
B. the president is ceremonial
C. the president shares power with the legislature
D. there is no separation of powers
Explanation

Presidentialism features an elected head of state who serves as both head of state and government, as seen in Nigeria’s system since 1979.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The Head of State is not the chief executive in which of the following countries?

A. Britain
B. U.S.A.
C. Nigeria
D. France
Explanation

In Britain, the monarch (Head of State) is ceremonial, while the Prime Minister serves as the chief executive in the parliamentary system.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The main function of the upper chamber in a parliamentary system of government is to

A. initiate new legislation
B. check the excesses of the lower chamber
C. direct the activities of the lower chamber
D. act as a ceremonial body
Explanation

The upper chamber, such as the House of Lords, reviews and moderates legislation from the lower chamber, ensuring balanced law-making.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The federal constitution which concedes to the component units the right to secede is that of

A. the United States
B. Australia
C. Brazil
D. the Soviet Union
Explanation

The Soviet Union’s constitution theoretically permitted secession of its republics, as evidenced by its dissolution in 1991.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

The principle of two levels of government in a country is called

A. the parliamentary system
B. dictatorship
C. nationalism
D. federalism
Explanation

Federalism establishes two levels of government—central and regional—with divided powers, as practiced in Nigeria.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2009

Which of the following is a key feature of Nigerian federalism?

A. Centralized control over all resources
B. Division of powers between federal and state governments
C. Absence of a written constitution
D. Dominance of local governments over states
Explanation

Nigerian federalism is characterized by the division of powers between the federal government and state governments, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.

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