Post-UTME Government 2011 Past Questions & Answers

A nation is defined as a large group of people who are united by common characteristics like language, culture, history, and ethnicity. This shared identity makes them a cohesive and homogeneous community, meaning they feel a strong sense of belonging together. Unlike a state, a nation is about the people and their shared identity, not necessarily about having a government or a specific territory.

Common mistake: Students often confuse 'nation' with 'state', but a state is a political entity with a government and defined borders, whereas a nation is a cultural group of people.

The correct answer is the Portuguese, who were the first Europeans to make contact with the coastal communities of what is now Nigeria. They arrived in the 15th century, reaching the Benin Kingdom around 1472. This initial contact was primarily for trade and exploration, and it happened centuries before the British formally colonized the area.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose 'The British' because Britain was the country that eventually colonized Nigeria, but they forget that the Portuguese had earlier contact for trade and exploration.

The 1963 Republican Constitution established a parliamentary system of government for Nigeria. In this system, the President was the Head of State, but real executive power was held by the Prime Minister, who was the Head of Government. This means the President's role was largely ceremonial, so he only exercised nominal (in name only) powers.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'executive powers' because they are thinking of the current presidential system, where the President is the chief executive, unlike the ceremonial President in the 1963 parliamentary system.

The correct answer is the 1979 constitution. This constitution was the first to officially include the 'federal character' principle, which requires that government appointments and resources are shared in a way that reflects the diversity of Nigeria. The goal was to ensure no single ethnic group or region dominates the federal government, thereby promoting national unity and giving every group a sense of belonging.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the 1999 constitution because it is the current constitution and also strongly features the federal character principle, but the principle was first established in 1979.

During Nigeria's First Republic, from independence in 1960 until the first military coup in 1966, the country operated a parliamentary system of government. This system was modelled after the British system and is also called the Westminster system. In this arrangement, the Prime Minister was the head of government, while the head of state was a ceremonial role, first held by the Governor-General and later a President.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the presidential system because it is the system Nigeria has used since 1979 and is more familiar to them.

The presidential system, like in Nigeria and the USA, is defined by the principle of separation of powers. This means the executive (President), legislature (National Assembly), and judiciary (courts) are distinct and independent branches of government. In contrast, the parliamentary system has a fusion of powers, where the executive (Prime Minister and cabinet) is drawn from and is part of the legislature, making separation of powers the key difference.

Common mistake: Students might confuse related concepts like 'judicial independence' or 'passage of bills', but these exist in both systems, whereas a strict separation of powers is unique to the presidential system.

Deregulation is a policy where the government reduces or removes its rules and controls over an industry, such as the oil and gas or telecommunications sectors. By stepping back, the government allows private companies to compete, and prices are then set by the natural interaction of supply and demand. This process is known as the 'enthronement of market forces mechanism'.

Common mistake: Students often confuse 'deregulation' with its opposite, 'regulation', and might incorrectly choose option B, which describes an economy increasingly dominated by the state.

A bicameral legislature is a law-making body with two houses, like Nigeria's Senate and House of Representatives. The main reason for this structure is to ensure laws are thoroughly checked and reviewed before being passed. By requiring a bill to go through two separate chambers, it allows for more debate and scrutiny, which helps to correct errors and prevent hasty decisions, ultimately leading to better and more just laws for the citizens.

Common mistake: Students often choose option B because preventing the concentration of power is a valid and important function of bicameralism, but ensuring just laws (option D) is considered the ultimate outcome and primary purpose of this detailed legislative process.

The main difference between a political party and a pressure group is their primary goal or objective. A political party's main objective is to contest elections in order to win and control the government. On the other hand, a pressure group's objective is to influence government policies and decisions to favour its specific interests, without seeking to take over power.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'the ideology' because both groups have beliefs, but the core distinction is their ultimate goal (objective), not just their set of ideas.

The rule of law is a fundamental principle of democracy which states that everyone, including the government, must obey the law. One of its key components is equality before the law, which means no citizen is above the law and everyone is treated equally in the eyes of the law. This ensures that justice is applied fairly to all, regardless of their social status, wealth, or position.

Common mistake: Students might wrongly pick 'constitutional law' because the rule of law is a major part of a country's constitution, but 'the rule of law' is the specific principle that directly includes equality for all.