WAEC Government past questions and answers

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

WAEC Government: 1,336 objective past questions from 27 papers between 1998 and 2024, each with the answer and an explanation. Here are ten.

How the WAEC Government paper is set. On WAEC's 2026 timetable for private candidates, Paper 1 (objective) takes 1 hour and Paper 2 (essay) 2 hours. If the question paper on the day gives another time, follow the question paper. The questions here are from Paper 1.

1. 1.

   The appointment of judges is based on the recommendation of the

   1. A
      National Judicial Council
      Correct
   2. B
      Attorney General of the Federation
   3. C
      Federal Executive Council
   4. D
      National Assembly
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   Answer: A

   In Nigeria's constitutional framework, the appointment of judges is based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). The NJC is responsible for recommending candidates for judicial appointments to ensure independence of the judiciary from direct executive or legislative interference.

2. 2.Constitutionalism is synonymous with
   1. A
      Absolute government
   2. B
      Limited government
      Correct
   3. C
      Military government
   4. D
      Totalitarian government
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   Answer: B

   Constitutionalism is synonymous with limited government. It is the principle that government authority is derived from and constrained by a body of fundamental law (the constitution), preventing arbitrary or absolute rule.

3. 3.The principle of non-alignment means that a country
   1. A
      refuses to join any international organization
   2. B
      maintains complete isolation from world affairs
   3. C
      only trades with other developing nations
   4. D
      does not take sides with any major power bloc
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Non-alignment means a country refuses to formally align with either the Western or Eastern power blocs during the Cold War era, maintaining an independent foreign policy while engaging freely with all nations.

4. 4.An order directing a detainee to be brought before the court is called
   1. A
      Habeas corpus
      Correct
   2. B
      Mandamus
   3. C
      Quo warranto
   4. D
      Certiorari
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   Answer: A

   Habeas corpus (Latin: 'you shall have the body') is a writ that requires a detaining authority to bring a prisoner before the court to determine whether the detention is lawful, thus safeguarding personal liberty.

5. 5.With which of the following did the French attempt to the change African culture?
   1. A
      Indirect Rule policy
   2. B
      Loi Cadre framework
   3. C
      Association policy
   4. D
      Assimilation policy
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   The French used the policy of Assimilation to change African culture by replacing African customs, languages, and institutions with French ones, aiming to turn Africans into French citizens culturally.

6. 6.

   The institution established by the constitution to be responsible for recruiting personnel into the civil service is the ___________

   1. A
      Federal Executive Council
   2. B
      National Council of State
   3. C
      Civil Service Commission
      Correct
   4. D
      Federal Character Commission
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   Answer: C

   The Civil Service Commission (also referred to as the Federal Civil Service Commission in Nigeria) is the constitutional body mandated to recruit, appoint, promote, and discipline personnel in the civil service. It ensures that appointments are made on merit and in accordance with the federal character principle, insulating the recruitment process from political interference.

7. 7.The guiding principle of communism is from each according to his/her
   1. A
      Status, to each according to his rank
   2. B
      Ability, to each according to his needs
      Correct
   3. C
      Wealth, to each according to his contribution
   4. D
      Position, to each according to his class
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   Answer: B

   The Marxist guiding principle of communism is "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." This means that every individual contributes to society based on their capacity and receives from society according to what they genuinely require, rather than according to social rank or financial standing.

8. 8.According to Marxism, those who own and control productive resources in a capitalist state are
   1. A
      the bourgeoisie
      Correct
   2. B
      the intelligentsia
   3. C
      the peasantry
   4. D
      the proletariat
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   Answer: A

   In Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) owns the means of production — factories, land, and capital — and uses that ownership to exploit the labour of the proletariat (working class).

9. 9.A communist system recongnises
   1. A
      individual accumulation of wealth
   2. B
      private ownership of the means of production
   3. C
      free market competition
   4. D
      collective ownership of the means of production
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Communism advocates the collective ownership of the means of production — factories, land, and resources — by the community as a whole, usually administered by the state. Private property is abolished, and production is organised for social need rather than individual profit, in accordance with the Marxist principle of common ownership.

10. 10.

    SECTION B: Political and Constitutional Development in West Africa and International Relations

    Explain five reasons for which Nigeria attaches so much importance to foreign policy determination and implementation.

    1. A
       Dominating all neighboring countries militarily, extracting resources from weaker nations, imposing Nigerian culture on others, eliminating competition in African trade, and establishing a Nigerian empire
    2. B
       Ignoring regional conflicts and instability, abandoning economic interests abroad, reducing diplomatic presence internationally, tolerating security threats on borders, and surrendering national sovereignty to other powers
    3. C
       Avoiding all contact with other nations, becoming completely self-sufficient and isolated, rejecting international trade and cooperation, withdrawing from regional organizations, and refusing diplomatic representation
    4. D
       Strengthening regional security and stability, protecting economic interests and trade, exercising diplomatic influence in African and international affairs, addressing cross-border security threats, and maintaining national sovereignty in global relations
       Correct
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: D

    Correct answer: Nigeria attaches great importance to foreign policy for five critical reasons: (1) Regional stability — as West Africa's most populous and economically powerful nation, Nigeria's security directly affects the region's peace; (2) Economic interests — trade relationships, investment opportunities, and access to resources depend on favorable foreign relations; (3) Diplomatic influence — Nigeria seeks to lead African initiatives, secure a UNSC seat, and influence international decision-making; (4) Security threats — terrorism (Boko Haram), trans-border organized crime, and regional conflicts require diplomatic and security responses; (5) National sovereignty — in an interdependent world, protecting Nigeria's interests means active engagement in international affairs rather than isolation.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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