2021 JAMB GOVERNMENT PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The head of government in Nigeria in 1963 was Major General Aguiyi Ironsi. He took office following the January 1966 coup and was Nigeria’s first military head of state. This coup ended the First Republic. Other options refer to different periods of leadership in Nigerian history.

General Yakubu Gowon was responsible for reorganizing Nigeria’s regions into twelve states during the civil war to enhance political and administrative control. This restructuring was done to mitigate ethnic tensions and promote national unity. Other options did not lead such a reorganization.

Plutocracy refers to a system of government where the wealthy hold power. It contrasts with other forms of government where power is derived from the people (democracy) or small groups (oligarchy).

Professor Ibrahim Gambari served as the Special Assistant on African Affairs, assisting with issues related to political, social, and economic development across the continent. Other options are related to different aspects of international relations.

Nigeria was a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), formed to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries. Venezuela is another founding member.

The Code of Conduct Bureau’s main function is to ensure accountability and transparency in government operations by monitoring the assets and activities of public officials. Other options describe different powers or bodies.

The two military coups that overthrew civilian regimes were in January 1966 and December 1983. Both marked critical moments in Nigeria’s history, leading to military rule.

Under the 1999 Constitution, the creation of local governments is the responsibility of the State Assembly, as per the federal structure of Nigeria. Other bodies do not hold this power.

The 1979 Constitution of Nigeria was the first to include Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which guided the actions of government. The 1999 Constitution also retained these principles.

These fees are considered user charges, as they are collected in exchange for services or rights to use public facilities. Other options do not describe the nature of the fees.

The Ibadan Conference of 1950 focused on the Richards Constitution, which introduced important constitutional changes, including the creation of regional assemblies.

The absence of the rule of law can lead to human rights abuses, as the government is not bound by laws to protect citizens’ rights. Other options refer to secondary issues caused by weak governance.

ECOWAS has notably succeeded in promoting the free movement of persons and rights of residence among its members, enhancing regional integration.

Nigeria’s withdrawal was in protest against Britain’s support for the apartheid regime in South Africa, which was in direct opposition to Nigeria’s stance.

France was the major power that supported Biafra morally during the Civil War, though other countries were involved in the conflict in various capacities.

General Joseph Garba was Nigeria’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, playing a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy.

Barclays Bank and BP were nationalized due to their business dealings with Portugal, which was viewed negatively by Nigeria during the colonial struggles in Africa.

The Murtala/Obasanjo regime increased the number of states from 12 to 19 as part of efforts to decentralize government power and reduce ethnic tensions.

The National Security Council advises the President on matters concerning national security, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.

INEC is responsible for maintaining the register of voters, ensuring the accuracy of the electoral process.

Before Nigeria’s republic status, the Privy Council in Britain was the highest judicial body for Nigeria, handling final appeals.

The key distinction is the objective: pressure groups aim to influence policy without seeking to form a government, while political parties seek to gain power.

At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria’s head of state was Queen Elizabeth II, as Nigeria was still a British colony.

The Second World War had weakened colonial powers, emboldening African nationalists to demand full independence rather than reforms within the colonial system.

The British used the ‘Divide and rule’ method to manage the diverse ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria by creating divisions to weaken resistance to colonial rule.

Stateless societies did not have centralized political authority. Instead, they were organized around kinship and clans with no formal governing institutions.

A multi-party system can lead to a fragmented political environment, increasing the cost of elections and potentially causing instability due to competing interests.

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group, distorting democratic fairness.

The right to free education and employment is not a fundamental right under the Nigerian constitution. Fundamental rights include life, liberty, property, and freedom of association.

A bill is a proposed law that is under consideration by the legislature. It is debated and can be passed into law if approved by the legislative body.

The Senate is responsible for confirming presidential appointments, including those of ministers and ambassadors, under the 1999 Constitution.

The official opposition party in Nigeria’s First Republic was the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), which opposed the government formed by the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC).

The highest grade in the Civil Service is the Executive cadre, which oversees administrative functions and decision-making at senior levels.

The Native Authority System was most successful in Northern Nigeria, where traditional institutions were used effectively to administer the region under colonial rule.

The major challenge of ECOWAS is the lack of commitment among member states, which undermines its ability to achieve economic and political integration.

Citizenship can be acquired through birth or naturalization, where a person is either born in the country or applies for citizenship after meeting the legal requirements.

A common feature of government is the making of public policy, as all governments engage in formulating policies for governance and public welfare.

The legislature exercises oversight by monitoring the executive and ensuring that laws are followed and public funds are used properly.

Between 1979 and 1983, Nigeria operated under a Presidential system of government, where the president was both the head of state and head of government.

A matching grant is a financial allocation from the federal or state government to local governments, typically given to help fund specific projects.