Post-UTME Government 2008 Past Questions & Answers

The French colonial policy of Assimilation was based on the belief that French culture was superior and should be adopted by the people in their colonies. The main goal was to absorb the African subjects into French culture by teaching them the French language, laws, and way of life. This was intended to turn them into 'black Frenchmen', making option B the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C because education was a key part of the assimilation process, but they forget that the main goal of this education was cultural conversion, not just creating an educated class for its own sake.

A state is defined by four key characteristics: a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and sovereignty. While most modern countries have a written constitution to outline their laws, it is not a fundamental requirement for an entity to be considered a state. For example, Great Britain is a sovereign state but operates with an unwritten constitution, which is based on laws, traditions, and court decisions.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly believe that a written constitution is essential for any state, confusing the features of a modern democratic state with the core definition of a state itself.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was founded on May 28, 1975, through the Treaty of Lagos. This treaty was signed by 15 West African countries with the primary aim of promoting economic integration and collective self-sufficiency in the region. Therefore, May 1975 is the correct establishment period.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose May 1963 because that is the year the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union (AU), was established.

Although Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, it was still a constitutional monarchy with the British Queen as the Head of State. Nigeria officially became a republic on October 1, 1963, when the Republican Constitution was adopted. This new constitution replaced the British monarch with a Nigerian President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as the ceremonial Head of State.

Common mistake: The most common mistake is choosing 1st October 1960, because students often confuse the date of independence with the date Nigeria became a republic.

The primary functions of the legislature (like Nigeria's National Assembly) are making laws, representing citizens, and performing oversight on the executive branch. While the legislature must approve or 'domesticate' an international treaty for it to become law in the country, the formal act of 'ratification' on the international stage is carried out by the Executive branch (the President). Therefore, ratification itself is considered an executive function, making it the correct answer for what is NOT a legislative function in this context.

Common mistake: Students often confuse the legislature's role in approving or enacting a treaty into law with the final executive act of ratification, leading them to incorrectly believe it is a legislative function.

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of member states that are located in Europe. It was formed by European countries to promote peace, create a single market, and cooperate on various issues. Therefore, the most accurate and comprehensive description is an 'Organization of European states'.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Economic organization' because the EU started as an economic community and has strong economic functions, but this description is too narrow as the EU is also a political union.

General Ibrahim Babangida was a military Head of State who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993. During his regime, the highest decision-making and law-making body was the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC). This council, composed of top military officers, held both legislative and executive powers, making it the supreme authority in the country at that time.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'The Federal Executive Council' because it is a familiar term for the cabinet of ministers, but during Babangida's military rule, the AFRC was the supreme authority, not the FEC.

The United Nations Organization has principal organs and specialized agencies. The Security Council is one of the six principal organs, which are the main bodies of the UN established by its charter. Specialized agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are separate international bodies that work with the UN on specific global issues. Therefore, the Security Council is a principal organ, not a specialized agency.

Common mistake: Students may not know the difference between a principal organ and a specialized agency, and might incorrectly choose a less familiar agency like the ILO, thinking it's not related to the UN.

The Nigerian Constitution specifies the conditions under which a person can be deprived of their citizenship. According to Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution, a citizen by registration or naturalization can lose their citizenship if they acquire or retain the citizenship of another country. The other options listed, such as marrying a foreigner or being convicted of a crime, are not grounds for the deprivation of citizenship.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C, thinking that a very serious crime like armed robbery would be enough to revoke someone's citizenship, but this is not a condition specified in the Nigerian Constitution.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first indigenous Governor-General of Nigeria on November 16, 1960, shortly after independence. Under the 1960 Independence Constitution, Nigeria was a constitutional monarchy, and the Governor-General represented the Queen of England who was the Head of State. Azikiwe took over this role from Sir James Robertson, the last British official to hold the position.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose Sir James Robertson because he was the Governor-General at the moment of independence, but he was the last British holder of the post, not the first Nigerian.