WAEC Government 2021 past questions
Ten questions from the 2021 WAEC Government paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 50 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Government 2021 questions and answers
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1.
The following factors motivated the formation and growth of political parties in British West African territories except
- AThe introduction of the elective principle in colonial constitutions
- BThe rise of a Western-educated African elite
- CThe desire to participate in and eventually control government
- DThe promotion of traditional religious authority over secular politicsCorrect
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Answer: D
Promotion of traditional religious authority over secular politics was not a motivating factor for political party formation in British West Africa. Parties grew out of the elective principle introduced by constitutions such as the Clifford Constitution of 1922 in Nigeria, the emergence of a Western-educated elite, and the nationalist desire to challenge colonial rule and win self-government. Religion was not the organising force behind the early parties.
- A
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2.
Citizenship of a state is based on the following requirements except
- ABirth within the territory of the state
- BDescent from a citizen parent
- COwnership of substantial property in the stateCorrect
- DNaturalisation after meeting statutory requirements
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Answer: C
Ownership of substantial property is not a basis for citizenship. Citizenship is typically acquired by birth (jus soli), descent (jus sanguinis), or naturalisation after satisfying legal requirements such as residency, language proficiency, and renunciation of prior citizenship. Property ownership may be relevant to certain residence permits or investment visas, but it does not by itself confer citizenship in any modern democratic state.
- A
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3.
Public corporation is a semi-independent statutory body established by
- AA cabinet circular
- BA court order
- CA presidential directive
- DAn Act of ParliamentCorrect
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Answer: D
A public corporation is created by an Act of Parliament (enabling legislation). The statute defines the corporation's powers, functions, and structure, and grants it a separate legal personality distinct from the government department. This legislative basis gives the corporation its authority, while the government retains ultimate ownership and policy oversight — hence the description "semi-independent."
- A
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4.
Judicial review in a democratic environment is an aspect of
- AParty politics and electoral competition
- BMilitary oversight of civilian government
- CParliamentary sovereignty over the courts
- DSeparation of powers and checks and balancesCorrect
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Answer: D
Judicial review is a central feature of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. It empowers courts to examine the actions of the executive and legislature and to strike down those that violate the constitution. By doing so, the judiciary acts as a check on the other branches, preventing the abuse of power and ensuring that government action remains within constitutional limits.
- A
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5.
People's political values are continuously shaped by the following agents except
- AMass media
- BFamily
- CElectoral commissionCorrect
- DReligious organisations
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Answer: C
Political socialisation occurs through family upbringing, exposure to mass media, peer groups, schools, and religious organisations. The electoral commission is an administrative body that organises elections; it does not play a role in shaping citizens' political values and attitudes.
- A
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6.
Undue political interference in the work of electoral management bodies in West Africa has the potential to
- AStrengthen the independence of electoral commissions
- BPromote peaceful transitions of power
- CUndermine the credibility and integrity of electionsCorrect
- DEncourage higher voter turnout in general elections
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Answer: C
When politicians interfere with electoral management bodies — through appointments, funding cuts, or direct pressure — it undermines the credibility and integrity of elections. Voters and losing parties lose confidence in results, disputes escalate, and post-election violence becomes more likely. The independence of electoral commissions is a cornerstone of free and fair elections; its erosion delegitimises democratic outcomes.
- A
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7.
Which territories in British West Africa did the colonial government exercise limited jurisdiction?
- AMandated territories
- BProtectoratesCorrect
- CCrown colonies
- DChartered territories
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Answer: B
In protectorates, Britain exercised limited, indirect jurisdiction — governing largely through existing local rulers rather than applying full British law. Crown colonies were under full British sovereignty. Protectorate status acknowledged some degree of continued local authority even as Britain controlled external affairs and key internal matters.
- A
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8.
A constitution that requires an absolute majority of members of parliamentto amend is a
- AUnwritten constitution
- BRigid constitutionCorrect
- CFlexible constitution
- DWritten constitution
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Answer: B
A rigid constitution is one that cannot be amended by the ordinary legislative process and requires a special, more demanding procedure — such as an absolute majority of all members of parliament, a supermajority, or a referendum. A flexible constitution can be amended by a simple majority in the same way as ordinary legislation.
- A
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9.
The European imperialist penetration into West Africa was primarily motivated by the following consideration except
- ASearch for raw materials and new markets
- BDevelopment of indigenous self-governanceCorrect
- CSpread of Christianity and Western civilization
- DAcquisition of strategic territories
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Answer: B
European powers were driven into West Africa by economic interests (raw materials, new markets), strategic rivalry, and missionary/civilising ideology. Developing indigenous self-governance was never a motivation; in fact imperialism deliberately suppressed local political autonomy to maintain colonial control.
- A
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10.
Taking over power, military governments disregard democratic protocols and rule mainly by
- AReferendums and plebiscites
- BParliamentary statutes
- CDecrees and edictsCorrect
- DExecutive orders subject to judicial review
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Answer: C
Military governments rule principally by decrees and edicts. A decree is issued by the supreme military council or head of state and has the force of law without passing through any legislature. Edicts are used at the state or regional level. These instruments bypass the parliament, which is usually dissolved after a coup, and are often not subject to judicial challenge, undermining the rule of law.
- A
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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Practise all 50 questions we hold from the 2021 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.