JAMB Government 2016 Past Questions & Answers

The Land Use Decree of 1978 was a major law enacted by the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo. This law transferred the ownership of all land within a state's territory to the State Governor. The Governor holds this land in trust for the people and is responsible for allocating it for various uses, a policy that remains significant in Nigeria today.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Federal Government, assuming that a nationwide decree would automatically place control at the highest central authority.

During the Nigerian Civil War $(1967-1970)$, France was the major world power that provided significant support to Biafra's attempt at self-determination. While France never officially recognized Biafra as a sovereign nation, it supplied weapons and offered moral backing, partly due to its strategic interest in weakening a large, English-speaking, British-influenced country in West Africa. In contrast, major powers like Great Britain and the Soviet Union supported the Nigerian Federal Government.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose Great Britain because it was Nigeria's former colonial ruler and was heavily involved, but Britain actually supported the Nigerian Federal Government, not Biafra.

In May 1967, the military government led by General Yakubu Gowon abolished the four existing regions and created 12 new states. This was a significant political move just before the start of the Nigerian Civil War. The creation of these states was intended to weaken the regional power structures and address the fears of ethnic minorities, fundamentally altering Nigeria's federal system.

Common mistake: Students often confuse this with the 1976 state creation exercise by General Murtala Mohammed, which increased the number of states to 19.

Decree 34 of 1966, also known as the Unification Decree, was passed by the military government of General Aguiyi-Ironsi. Its main purpose was to change Nigeria's system of government from a federal structure, which shared power between the centre and regions, to a unitary one. This move was perceived as an attempt to abolish the federal system and concentrate all power in the central government, which caused widespread fear and opposition, particularly in the Northern region.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option C because it is true that military decrees are made without consulting the people, but the primary reason this specific decree caused so much opposition was its content, not the process by which it was made.

The Mid-Western Region was created in 1963 during Nigeria's First Republic. It was carved out of the existing Western Region after a plebiscite (a direct vote by the people) was held in the area, as required by the constitution. This event is significant as it was the only region created through a constitutional process in Nigeria, changing the federal structure from three regions to four.

Common mistake: Students may confuse the date with other major events of the First Republic, such as the Action Group crisis in 1962 or the federal elections in 1964.

Nigerian federalism involves sharing power and resources between the federal, state, and local governments. Revenue allocation is the formula used to distribute the nation's income, particularly from oil, among these tiers of government. This process has always been a major source of disagreement and argument, making it a key contentious issue in how Nigerian federalism works.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose poverty because it is a very serious problem in Nigeria, but the question specifically asks for an issue related to the structure of federalism, which is the sharing of resources.

A constitution is the fundamental and supreme law of a country, which sets out the principles, structures, and processes of government. It serves as a blueprint or guide, detailing how a country is to be governed, including the powers of the government and the rights of the citizens. Therefore, its basic function is to be a guide for governance.

Common mistake: Students may be tempted to choose option C, but it is incomplete because a constitution does more than just state what leaders should do; it also outlines the rights of citizens and the limits of government power.

The Rule of Law is a fundamental principle of democracy which states that the law is supreme and applies to everyone equally, including the government itself. This concept includes two main ideas: first, that 'nobody is above the law' (supremacy of law), and second, that 'everybody is equal before the law' (equality). Since both statements A and B are correct and essential parts of the definition, option D, which combines them, is the most complete answer.

Common mistake: Students might hastily choose either A or B because both are correct statements on their own, without realizing that option D provides a more comprehensive and therefore better answer.

A cabinet system of government, also known as a parliamentary system, is a system where the executive branch (the cabinet) is drawn from the legislature and is accountable to it. The United Kingdom is the classic example of this system, where the Prime Minister and other ministers are also Members of Parliament. The government remains in power only as long as it has the support or confidence of the parliament.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the United States, confusing its presidential system with a cabinet system; while the US has a 'cabinet', its members are not part of the legislature and are only advisors to the president.

Sir Frederick Lugard is the correct answer because he was the British colonial administrator who pioneered and implemented the system of Indirect Rule in Nigeria. He first applied this system successfully in Northern Nigeria as High Commissioner before becoming the Governor-General of the amalgamated Nigeria in 1914, after which the system was extended to the South. Indirect Rule was a policy of governing through existing traditional rulers and institutions.

Common mistake: Students might confuse Sir Frederick Lugard with other colonial governors like Sir Donald Cameron, who did not introduce Indirect Rule but was known for reforming it, especially in the Eastern region.

The French policy of assimilation was designed to absorb their colonial subjects into French culture and society. The goal was to make them 'black Frenchmen' by replacing their local languages, customs, and political systems with those of France. Therefore, the main purpose of the policy was to completely change their entire way of life.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because education was a key tool used to achieve assimilation, but it was only a means to the end goal of cultural change, not the primary goal itself.

Lord Lugard was the British administrator responsible for the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914. Following this unification, he became the first Governor-General of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. He served in this position from 1914 to 1919, establishing the administrative foundation for colonial rule in a unified Nigeria.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe because he was the first indigenous (Nigerian) Governor-General after independence, not the very first Governor-General overall.

A one-party system is a system of government where only one political party is legally allowed to exist and hold power. This directly violates the fundamental human right of freedom of association, which allows people to form or join any group they choose, including different political parties. By allowing only one party, the government denies citizens the right to associate with other political groups, which is a major disadvantage.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, 'makes accountability difficult', because while this is also a true disadvantage, the denial of freedom of association (option C) is the more fundamental problem from which other issues like lack of accountability arise.

Delegated legislation refers to laws made by bodies other than the main legislature (e.g., the National Assembly), using powers granted to them by an Act of Parliament. A bye-law is a classic example of this, as it is a law made by a subordinate body like a local government council or a public corporation. An 'act' is a law passed by the legislature itself, so it is primary, not delegated, legislation.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'an act' because it is a type of law, but they forget that an act is made directly by the legislature and is therefore the source of power for delegated legislation, not an example of it.

In a federal system of government like Nigeria, powers are divided between the central (federal) government and other levels of government (state and local). The Exclusive List contains subjects that only the central government can make laws on. Matters of national importance and security, such as currency, the armed forces, and national defense, are placed on this list to ensure the unity and protection of the entire country.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Armed Forces Ruling Council' because the question mentions the armed forces, but this council was a feature of military rule, not the constitutional division of powers in a federal democracy.

A primary election is the specific process used by political parties to select their official candidates who will then contest in the main election. In this internal election, only registered members of a party are allowed to vote for the person they want to represent their party. This happens before the general election where all eligible citizens can vote.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'General election' because it's the most well-known type of election, but it involves all registered voters choosing from different party candidates, not party members selecting their own candidate.

The British system of indirect rule was designed to govern through existing traditional rulers. In Eastern Nigeria, many societies like the Igbo were acephalous, meaning they lacked centralized kings or chiefs. To implement their system, the British appointed 'warrant chiefs' who had no traditional authority, causing the people to see them as illegitimate puppets and reject their rule, which ultimately led to the system's failure.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option A, 'of the fragmented political structures', which is the underlying reason, but the direct action that caused the system to fail was the imposition of these unpopular warrant chiefs, making option D the more precise answer.

The question asks for the definition of citizenship. In the context of some JAMB questions, citizenship is strongly linked to being a native or original member of a state, which is what 'indigenous' means. This status as an indigenous member is seen as the primary basis for granting a person full political rights and privileges within the country.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'legal status of a member of a state' because it is the broad, textbook definition, but they may fail to consider that questions can sometimes focus on the concept of indigeneity, which is a very important aspect of citizenship in Nigeria.

Before Nigeria became a republic in 1963, it was a dominion under the British Crown, even after gaining independence in 1960. During this period $(1960-1963)$, the final court of appeal for Nigeria was the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council based in London. When Nigeria became a republic, it abolished appeals to the Privy Council and established its own Supreme Court as the highest court in the land.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the Supreme Court because it is the highest court today, but they forget that this only became true after Nigeria became a republic in 1963.

A major focus of Nigeria's foreign policy has always been the liberation and dignity of African nations, a principle known as Afrocentrism. During the 1980s, Nigeria was a strong opponent of the apartheid regime in South Africa and pushed for international sanctions. When the British government under Margaret Thatcher refused to support stronger sanctions, Nigeria led a boycott of the 1986 Commonwealth Games in protest, demonstrating its commitment to ending apartheid.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, confusing the protest over South Africa with Nigeria's similar anti-colonial stance regarding Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

The question asks to identify which option is not a principal organ of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers, and the Administrative Secretary General are all key organs of the OAU. 'Appointment of staff' is an administrative duty or function performed by the organization, not an organ itself.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'The Administrative Secretary General', thinking it is just a staff position rather than one of the principal organs of the organization.

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) was the official body tasked with organizing and supervising elections in Nigeria during the Second Republic. This period, from 1979 to 1983, fell under the commission's mandate to conduct free and fair elections. Therefore, NEC was responsible for the general elections held in both 1979 and 1983.

Common mistake: A common mistake is to select the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), but this body operated in a different period, and it was NEC that oversaw the $1979-1983$ electoral cycle.

The phrase 'The Queen can do no wrong' is a legal principle that comes from the concept of sovereign immunity. It means that the monarch, as the sovereign or head of state, is considered above the law and cannot be prosecuted or sued in a court. This is because the sovereign is historically seen as the source of all law, and therefore cannot be subject to it.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because in modern constitutional monarchies like the UK, the monarch acts on the advice of ministers who take political responsibility, but this is a political convention, not the core legal meaning of the phrase.

For a political entity to be recognized as a state, it must possess four essential characteristics. These are a permanent population of people, a clearly defined geographical territory, a functional government to maintain order, and sovereignty, which is the supreme authority to govern itself without outside interference. Option B correctly lists these four fundamental attributes.

Common mistake: Students may confuse the attributes of a state with the instruments of government, like the police and armed forces in option A, which are just one part of the 'government' attribute.

The question refers to a major event that shaped the political landscape of Northern Nigeria before colonialism. The jihad led by Uthman Dan Fodio in the early 19th century was a political and religious revolution that established the Sokoto Caliphate, a vast Islamic empire. While Islam had been present in the region for centuries before, this jihad cemented it as the foundation of the dominant political system, which is what the question is referencing.

Common mistake: Students may confuse the initial arrival of Islam in West Africa through traders and scholars (which happened centuries earlier) with its establishment as the basis of a major political empire, which was the direct result of the jihad.