JAMB Government 2005 Past Questions & Answers

The Authority of Heads of State and Government is the highest decision-making body in ECOWAS, composed of the leaders from all member countries. This body holds the ultimate power and exercises overall control over the executive functions of the organization, setting its general policies and major guidelines. All other organs of ECOWAS, including the Council of Ministers and the Secretariat, are subordinate to it.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Secretary-General because they are the chief administrative officer, but the ultimate executive power rests with the collective body of national leaders.

South-South cooperation is a term used to describe the collaboration and partnership between developing countries, which are often referred to as the 'Global South'. As a key part of its foreign policy, Nigeria promotes this cooperation to build solidarity and achieve shared goals with other developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Therefore, the objective is to foster mutual understanding among all developing countries.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, confusing the political term 'South-South' with a purely geographical location south of the equator, but the term actually refers to developing nations regardless of their exact hemisphere.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an international body that coordinates the petroleum policies of its member states. Nigeria joined OPEC in 1971 and has been a major player due to its large oil reserves. At the time this question was set, Nigeria was recognized as the sixth-largest oil producer within the organization.

Common mistake: Students might choose other rankings because Nigeria's oil production and its position within OPEC can fluctuate over time, making it easy to recall an outdated or incorrect figure.

The conflict over the Bakassi Peninsula between Nigeria and Cameroon was a major international dispute that required a legal resolution. Both countries agreed to take the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). The ICJ's final and binding decision in 2002, based on a colonial-era treaty, awarded sovereignty of the peninsula to Cameroon, making its decision the key factor in resolving the crisis.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the roles of different international bodies and might incorrectly choose the OAU (now AU), as it is known for mediating African disputes, but the final legal ruling was made by the global ICJ.

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union (AU), was founded in 1963 with a primary goal of ending all forms of colonialism in Africa. It established a Liberation Committee that provided political, financial, and military support to independence movements across the continent. This concerted effort was instrumental in helping countries like Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Namibia gain their freedom, making the total decolonization of Africa its most significant achievement.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'promotion of development' because while the OAU aimed for this, its most notable and successful accomplishment was political liberation and ending colonialism.

Nigeria's foreign policy has long been described as having Africa as its 'center-piece', meaning the continent is its top priority. The National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) was established to serve as a high-level think-tank to develop skilled leaders and create effective long-term plans for the country. A major part of its work involves shaping the strategies for Nigeria's role in Africa, thus supporting and strengthening this Africa-focused foreign policy.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Ministry of Integration and Cooperation in Africa because its name seems to directly answer the question, but the creation of NIPSS is historically seen as the key institutional backing for this strategic policy focus.

This question tests knowledge of key figures in international organisations, specifically the United Nations (UN). Although none of the options served as the Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria held the very high-ranking position of Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. In the context of the options provided, he is the most prominent Nigerian figure associated with the UN Secretariat's leadership, making him the intended correct answer.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose Joseph Garba, another prominent Nigerian diplomat, confusing his role as President of the UN General Assembly with that of the Secretary-General.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is made up of sovereign nations, meaning each country is independent and governs itself. Because of this sovereignty, OPEC lacks a strong enforcement mechanism to compel its members to obey collective decisions, such as production quotas. Therefore, its inability to effectively punish members who violate these agreements is a significant organizational weakness.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because they associate international organizations with providing aid, but OPEC's primary function is to coordinate petroleum policies, not to act as a charity.

The United Nations Security Council is composed of 15 member states. For any resolution to be adopted, it must receive at least nine affirmative (yes) votes. This is the minimum numerical requirement for a resolution to pass, applying to both procedural and substantive matters.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B, focusing on the veto power of the five permanent members and incorrectly assuming all of them must actively vote 'yes' for a resolution to pass.

Nigeria's foreign policy has always focused on Africa as its main priority, a principle known as Afrocentrism. As a result, Nigeria has often acted as a mediator to help settle disputes between other African countries. A key historical example of this was when Nigeria, working under the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), helped to mediate the border conflict, known as the Ogaden War, between Ethiopia and Somalia in the late 1970s.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose other options by confusing this specific historical event with other African conflicts where Nigeria may have also played a peacekeeping or diplomatic role.

Shortly after gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria broke diplomatic relations with France. This was a protest against France's decision to conduct atomic bomb tests in the Sahara Desert, which Nigeria considered a threat to the African continent and a disregard for African sovereignty. This action was a key part of Nigeria's early foreign policy, which had Africa as its centerpiece (Afrocentrism).

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose The United States because it is a major world power, but the specific historical event of atomic testing in the Sahara Desert involved France.

The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of countries, most of which were former British colonies. While the British monarch is the Head of the Commonwealth, member states can choose their own form of government. Countries like Ghana, India, and Singapore are republics with their own presidents as Head of State. However, some members, called Commonwealth realms, still recognize the British monarch as their Head of State, and Australia is one of them.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly believe that all Commonwealth members are republics, leading them to incorrectly choose other member states like Ghana or India.

The correct answer is 'her national interests' because this is the most fundamental principle that guides any sovereign country's actions in international relations. While Nigeria's foreign policy is often described as Afrocentric (focused on Africa), this focus is itself a strategy to protect and promote Nigeria's own national interest. Ultimately, Nigeria's decisions at the UN are made based on what is best for the country's security, economy, and overall well-being.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'her concern for Africa' because Nigeria's foreign policy is famously Afrocentric, but they forget that this Afrocentrism is a tool used to achieve the primary goal of national interest.

Herbert Macaulay, often called the father of Nigerian nationalism, founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923. This was the first political party in Nigeria, created to take advantage of the elective principle introduced by the Clifford Constitution of 1922. The NNDP was very successful, dominating the political scene in Lagos for over a decade.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) because Herbert Macaulay was its first president, but he co-founded that party much later in 1944 with Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 is the correct answer because it was the first constitution to formally introduce a federal system of government in Nigeria. This constitution specifically shared governmental powers between the central government and the three regional governments of the North, West, and East. This marked a significant departure from the unitary system that existed under previous constitutions.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Macpherson Constitution because it created regional assemblies, but it only established regionalism, not a true federal system with a clear division of powers.

In the pre-colonial Hausa-Fulani emirate system, political power was centralized in the hands of the Emir. As the supreme head of the emirate, the Emir held executive, legislative, and judicial powers. This means he was responsible for making the laws (legislative function) that governed the people, which were often based on Islamic Sharia law.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Khadi, confusing their judicial role of interpreting and applying the law with the Emir's legislative role of making the law.

The correct answer is FEDECO, which stands for the Federal Electoral Commission. This was the electoral body established by the 1979 Constitution to organize and conduct all elections during Nigeria's Second Republic $(1979-1983)$. It was responsible for the 1979 and 1983 general elections.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the various electoral bodies in Nigeria's history and might mistakenly choose INEC because it is the current and most well-known electoral commission.

The Richards Constitution of 1946 is famous because it was the first to bring the Northern and Southern protectorates under one single legislative body. Before this constitution, the Legislative Council in Lagos only made laws for the South, while the Governor ruled the North separately. By creating a Legislative Council for the whole of Nigeria, it aimed to promote the unity of the country, making this its most distinctive feature.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, forgetting that the Clifford Constitution of 1922, not the Richards Constitution, was the first to introduce unofficial members into the Legislative Council.

The French colonial policy of assimilation aimed to make Africans into French citizens by absorbing them into French culture and society. When this policy proved difficult and largely failed, it was replaced by the policy of association. Association was a more practical approach that respected local cultures and institutions, allowing them to exist alongside French colonial rule rather than being completely replaced.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'indirect rule' because they confuse the French policy of association with the more widely known British policy of indirect rule.

The Nigerian government is divided into three arms or branches: the Legislature (makes laws), the Executive (implements laws), and the Judiciary (interprets laws). The Judiciary is the court system, and its head is the highest-ranking judicial officer in the country. This position is officially titled the Chief Justice of the Federation, who also presides over the Supreme Court.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice because this person is the chief law officer of the executive branch, but they are not the head of the separate and independent judicial arm of government.

During Nigeria's First Republic $(1963-1966)$, the federal government was formed by a coalition between the Northern People's Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). The Action Group (AG), led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was the next largest party but was not part of the ruling coalition. In a parliamentary system, the largest party not in government is recognized as the official opposition, and this role was filled by the AG.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose the NCNC because it was a major southern party, but they forget that the NCNC actually formed a coalition government with the NPC, making them part of the ruling government, not the opposition.

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances between the different arms of government. While the President (Executive arm) has the power to nominate ministers and ambassadors, this power is checked by the Legislature. Specifically, the constitution gives the Senate, the upper chamber of the National Assembly, the sole responsibility to screen and confirm these appointments before they become official.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the House of Representatives, forgetting that the 1999 Constitution specifically assigns the power to confirm key presidential appointments to the Senate alone.

The Nigerian Constitution establishes the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as the body responsible for matters concerning judicial officers. This includes recommending candidates for appointment, as well as handling their promotion and discipline. This structure helps to maintain the independence and integrity of the judiciary, which is one of the three arms of government.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Chief Justice of the Federation because they are the head of the judiciary, but the constitution assigns the specific administrative task of promotion to the Judicial Service Commission to ensure a fair and transparent process.

The Nigerian legislature, known as the National Assembly, is bicameral, meaning it has two houses. According to the 1999 Constitution, the upper house (the Senate) has 109 members, comprising 3 senators from each of the 36 states and 1 from the Federal Capital Territory. The lower house (the House of Representatives) is composed of 360 members, each representing a federal constituency based on population.

Common mistake: Students often correctly remember that there are 109 senators but get confused about the exact number of members in the House of Representatives, sometimes mixing it up with other figures like 350.

The pre-colonial Tiv society was acephalous, meaning it had no single central ruler like a king or an emir. Political authority was decentralized and shared among elders and family heads based on age and lineage. This system of governance without a monarch, where power is not inherited by a single royal family, is best described as republican.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'monarchical' because they associate many pre-colonial systems with powerful kings, but the Tiv system was a notable exception as it was decentralized.