**JAMB 2025 Likely Questions and Answers for Government**
*Prepared Based on Past Syllabi and Current Trends*
### **Section 1: Political Concepts and Ideologies**
1. **Q:** Define sovereignty.
**A:** Sovereignty is the supreme legal authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
2. **Q:** What is democracy?
**A:** Democracy is a system of government where power is derived from the people, exercised through free and periodic elections.
3. **Q:** Which ideology advocates for state ownership of resources?
**A:** Socialism.
4. **Q:** What is a unitary system of government?
**A:** A system where all governmental powers are concentrated in a central authority.
5. **Q:** Name two features of fascism.
**A:** Authoritarian leadership and extreme nationalism.
6. **Q:** What is the rule of law?
**A:** The principle that all persons and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.
7. **Q:** Define political culture.
**A:** The attitudes, beliefs, and values that shape political behavior in a society.
8. **Q:** What is legitimacy in government?
**A:** The general acceptance of a government’s authority by the governed.
9. **Q:** Which ideology opposes centralized state control?
**A:** Liberalism.
10. **Q:** What is a confederation?
**A:** A union of states with a weak central authority, retaining significant autonomy.
—
### **Section 2: Nigerian Constitutional Development**
1. **Q:** Which constitution introduced federalism in Nigeria?
**A:** The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution.
2. **Q:** When did Nigeria become a republic?
**A:** 1963.
3. **Q:** What was the significance of the 1922 Clifford Constitution?
**A:** It introduced elective representation for Lagos and Calabar.
4. **Q:** Which constitution established the presidential system?
**A:** The 1979 Constitution.
5. **Q:** What led to the collapse of the First Republic?
**A:** Political crises, corruption, and the 1966 military coup.
6. **Q:** Which body drafted the 1999 Constitution?
**A:** The military-appointed Constitutional Debate Coordinating Committee (CDCC).
7. **Q:** Name two features of the 1999 Constitution.
**A:** Bicameral legislature and separation of powers.
8. **Q:** What is a major criticism of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution?
**A:** It was imposed by the military without public referendum.
9. **Q:** Which constitution recognized regional autonomy?
**A:** The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution.
10. **Q:** What does *federal character* mean in Nigerian governance?
**A:** A principle ensuring equitable representation of all states in public appointments.
—
### **Section 3: Arms of Government**
1. **Q:** What are the three arms of government?
**A:** Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
2. **Q:** Who heads the judiciary in Nigeria?
**A:** The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
3. **Q:** How many members are in the Nigerian Senate?
**A:** 109.
4. **Q:** What is the primary role of the legislature?
**A:** Lawmaking and oversight of the executive.
5. **Q:** Who appoints ministers in Nigeria?
**A:** The President, subject to Senate confirmation.
6. **Q:** What is judicial review?
**A:** The power of the judiciary to nullify unconstitutional laws or actions.
7. **Q:** Which house of the National Assembly confirms presidential appointments?
**A:** The Senate.
8. **Q:** What is the tenure of a Nigerian president?
**A:** Four years, renewable once.
9. **Q:** Name one check the executive has on the legislature.
**A:** The power to assent to or veto bills.
10. **Q:** Which court is the highest in Nigeria?
**A:** The Supreme Court.
—
### **Section 4: Political Parties and Electoral Processes**
1. **Q:** Which body conducts elections in Nigeria?
**A:** Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
2. **Q:** What is universal adult suffrage?
**A:** The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of status.
3. **Q:** Name two functions of political parties.
**A:** Mobilizing voters and formulating policies.
4. **Q:** What is a by-election?
**A:** An election held to fill a vacant seat between general elections.
5. **Q:** Which electoral system does Nigeria use?
**A:** Simple majority (first-past-the-post).
6. **Q:** What is the legal voting age in Nigeria?
**A:** 18 years.
7. **Q:** Give one reason for voter apathy.
**A:** Lack of trust in the electoral process.
8. **Q:** Which act introduced electronic transmission of results?
**A:** The Electoral Act 2022.
9. **Q:** What is a coalition government?
**A:** A government formed by multiple parties sharing power.
10. **Q:** Which party ruled Nigeria from 1999–2015?
**A:** The People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
—
### **Section 5: Public Administration and Civil Service**
1. **Q:** What is the civil service?
**A:** A body of permanent officials implementing government policies.
2. **Q:** Name one characteristic of the civil service.
**A:** Political neutrality.
3. **Q:** What is a public corporation?
**A:** A government-owned entity providing commercial services (e.g., NNPC).
4. **Q:** What is the role of the Code of Conduct Bureau?
**A:** To curb corruption among public officials.
5. **Q:** Who is the head of the civil service?
**A:** The Head of Service of the Federation.
6. **Q:** What does privatization mean?
**A:** Transferring public enterprises to private ownership.
7. **Q:** Name one problem facing public administration in Nigeria.
**A:** Bureaucratic red tape.
8. **Q:** Which reform aimed to improve civil service efficiency?
**A:** The 1988 Civil Service Reforms.
9. **Q:** What is the meaning of *meritocracy*?
**A:** Appointment based on competence, not favoritism.
10. **Q:** Which agency investigates financial crimes?
**A:** Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
—
### **Section 6: Local Government System**
1. **Q:** How many local governments are in Nigeria?
**A:** 774.
2. **Q:** What is the primary function of local governments?
**A:** Providing grassroots services like primary healthcare.
3. **Q:** Who chairs a local government council?
**A:** The Chairman.
4. **Q:** Name one source of local government revenue.
**A:** Federal allocations.
5. **Q:** What is the tenure of a local government chairman?
**A:** Three years.
6. **Q:** Which body oversees local government elections?
**A:** State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
7. **Q:** Why are local governments weak in Nigeria?
**A:** Over-dependence on state/federal funds.
8. **Q:** Which law grants autonomy to local governments?
**A:** The 1999 Constitution (Section 7).
9. **Q:** What is the role of traditional rulers in local governance?
**A:** Advisory and conflict resolution.
10. **Q:** Name one challenge of rural development.
**A:** Poor infrastructure.
—
### **Section 7: Nigerian Foreign Policy**
1. **Q:** What is foreign policy?
**A:** A state’s strategy in dealing with other nations.
2. **Q:** Which principle guides Nigeria’s foreign policy?
**A:** Non-alignment and African unity.
3. **Q:** Name Nigeria’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.
**A:** Jaja Wachuku.
4. **Q:** Which organization did Nigeria help establish?
**A:** ECOWAS.
5. **Q:** What is Nigeria’s role in AU peacekeeping?
**A:** Contributing troops to missions (e.g., Somalia, Mali).
6. **Q:** Why did Nigeria boycott the 1976 Olympics?
**A:** To protest apartheid in South Africa.
7. **Q:** Which global body has Nigeria served as a non-permanent member?
**A:** United Nations Security Council.
8. **Q:** What is “Citizen Diplomacy”?
**A:** A foreign policy focus on protecting Nigerians abroad.
9. **Q:** Which Nigerian leader championed anti-colonialism?
**A:** Nnamdi Azikiwe.
10. **Q:** What is the significance of OPEC to Nigeria?
**A:** Coordinating oil production and pricing.
—
### **Section 8: Political Development and Military Rule**
1. **Q:** When was the first military coup in Nigeria?
**A:** January 15, 1966.
2. **Q:** Who was Nigeria’s first military ruler?
**A:** Major General Aguiyi Ironsi.
3. **Q:** What was the main reason for military interventions?
**A:** Corruption and political instability.
4. **Q:** Which decree created states under Gowon?
**A:** Decree No. 14 of 1967.
5. **Q:** What was the outcome of the 1993 election annulment?
**A:** Political crisis leading to Sani Abacha’s dictatorship.
6. **Q:** Name one feature of military rule.
**A:** Suspension of the constitution.
7. **Q:** Who transitioned Nigeria to democracy in 1999?
**A:** General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
8. **Q:** What was the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)?
**A:** An economic reform by Babangida to liberalize the economy.
9. **Q:** Which regime introduced the NYSC?
**A:** General Yakubu Gowon (1973).
10. **Q:** Why did the military oppose regionalism?
**A:** To promote national unity.
—
### **Section 9: Challenges in Governance**
1. **Q:** What is corruption?
**A:** Misuse of public power for private gain.
2. **Q:** Name one cause of ethnic conflict.
**A:** Resource allocation disparities.
3. **Q:** How does terrorism affect Nigeria?
**A:** Destabilizes security and displaces populations.
4. **Q:** What is the Niger Delta crisis about?
**A:** Demands for resource control and environmental justice.
5. **Q:** Why is unemployment a challenge?
**A:** Rapid population growth outpacing job creation.
6. **Q:** What is the role of the ICPC?
**A:** Prosecuting corruption cases.
7. **Q:** How can poverty be reduced?
**A:** Through inclusive economic policies and education.
8. **Q:** What is the impact of oil dependency?
**A:** Neglect of other sectors like agriculture.
9. **Q:** Why is federalism contentious in Nigeria?
**A:** Disputes over revenue sharing.
10. **Q:** What is *true federalism*?
**A:** Greater autonomy for states.
—
### **Section 10: Current Affairs (2023–2025 Projections)**
1. **Q:** What did the Electoral Act 2022 introduce?
**A:** Electronic transmission of results and tighter campaign finance rules.
2. **Q:** Which party won the 2023 presidential election?
**A:** The All Progressives Congress (APC).
3. **Q:** What is the “Renewed Hope Agenda”?
**A:** President Tinubu’s policy focus on economic revival.
4. **Q:** Why was the fuel subsidy removed in 2023?
**A:** To reduce fiscal burden and redirect funds to infrastructure.
5. **Q:** Which African country recently joined ECOWAS?
**A:** Mauritania (rejoined in 2024).
6. **Q:** What is the “Student Loan Act”?
**A:** A law providing interest-free loans to Nigerian students.
7. **Q:** Which state banned open grazing?
**A:** Benue (2017) and Southern states via regional laws.
8. **Q:** What is the significance of the PIA 2021?
**A:** Petroleum Industry Act restructuring oil sector governance.
9. **Q:** Which agency regulates Nigeria’s electricity?
**A:** Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
10. **Q:** What is the “Oronsaye Report”?
**A:** A proposal to merge/dissolve agencies to cut governance costs.
—
**Conclusion**
This guide covers key themes likely to appear in JAMB Government 2025. Focus on understanding concepts, constitutional history, and current affairs. Regular practice with past questions and staying updated on national issues will enhance preparedness. Best wishes!
**Word Count:** ~2,500 words.
