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JAMB Government Past Questions

Real JAMB Government past questions, each with the correct answer and a worked solution. Below are 8 to work through free — no account needed.

8 JAMB Government questions with answers

Question 1

During a national crisis, the Nigerian President issues an executive order to restrict movement in some states without consulting the National Assembly. Which principle of government is most at risk in this scenario?

  1. a.Separation of powers
  2. b.Popular sovereignty
  3. c.Federalism
  4. d.Rule of law

Solution

The principle of separation of powers is at risk because the President is bypassing the legislative arm by acting alone, which threatens the balance among the branches of government. A common mistake is to pick 'Rule of law', but in this instance, the issue is not ignoring existing laws but overreaching presidential authority without legislative input.

Question 2

In a federal system like Nigeria, the National Assembly enacts a law on education policy that conflicts with existing state legislation. Which action by a state government best demonstrates the principle of supremacy of the constitution?

  1. a.Challenging the National Assembly's law in the Supreme Court to determine its validity
  2. b.Ignoring the federal law and continuing to implement only the state legislation
  3. c.Repealing its own education law as soon as the federal law is passed
  4. d.Negotiating a compromise policy directly with the Federal Ministry of Education

Solution

Challenging the federal law in the Supreme Court upholds the supremacy of the constitution by seeking judicial interpretation of constitutional powers. Merely ignoring the law (option 2) disrespects the legal process and could lead to a constitutional crisis, rather than resolving the conflict as required in a federal system.

Question 3

During a democratic transition in Country Y, the ruling party loses a parliamentary election but the army leadership refuses to recognize the results. Instead, they dissolve the legislature and ban public protests. Which principle of constitutionalism is most directly violated by these actions?

  1. a.Separation of powers
  2. b.Rule of law
  3. c.Popular sovereignty
  4. d.Judicial independence

Solution

The military's refusal to recognize election results and ban on protests violates the rule of law, as it disregards legal procedures and citizen rights. A strong distractor is 'popular sovereignty,' but while people's will is ignored, the direct violation is the subversion of laws meant to uphold democracy.

Question 4

In a small village meeting, the people gather to decide the date of their annual festival. Every adult is allowed to voice an opinion, and the final decision represents the popular choice of the group. Which principle of democracy is being practiced in this scenario?

  1. a.Majority rule
  2. b.Rule of law
  3. c.Minority rights
  4. d.Separation of powers

Solution

The correct answer is 'Majority rule' because the community's final decision reflects the opinion held by most people. The most tempting distractor, 'Rule of law,' is incorrect here because the scenario is about collective decision-making, not following established legal rules.

Question 5

In Nigeria, if the National Assembly passes a bill and the President neither signs nor returns it within 30 days, what is the constitutional position of the bill according to the 1999 Constitution?

  1. a.The bill automatically becomes law as if it had been signed by the President.
  2. b.The bill is deemed vetoed and cannot be reconsidered by the National Assembly.
  3. c.The bill must be reintroduced and passed again by both chambers of the National Assembly.
  4. d.The bill lapses and is considered invalid without explicit presidential assent.

Solution

According to Section 58(4-5) of the 1999 Constitution, if the President neither signs nor returns a bill within 30 days, the National Assembly may pass the bill again by a two-thirds majority, making it law without presidential assent. The most tempting option is option 2, but a presidential 'pocket veto' is not recognized in the Nigerian system; instead, legislative override is permitted.

Question 6

During the passage of a bill in the Nigerian National Assembly, the President withholds his assent. What is the constitutional implication of this action if the legislature insists on passing the bill?

  1. a.The National Assembly can override the President's veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
  2. b.The bill must be withdrawn and cannot be reintroduced in the same legislative session.
  3. c.The Supreme Court must be consulted to decide the fate of the bill.
  4. d.The bill automatically becomes law after 30 days, regardless of presidential assent.

Solution

If the President withholds assent, the Nigerian Constitution allows the National Assembly to override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses. The most tempting distractor is 'the bill automatically becomes law after 30 days,' but this is incorrect; automatic passage occurs only in some other systems, not in Nigeria.

Question 7

In 2023, the National Assembly of Nigeria passes a bill on environmental regulation, but the President withholds assent, citing constitutional concerns. The Assembly then overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority. What does this process illustrate about the separation of powers in Nigeria's presidential system?

  1. a.It demonstrates legislative supremacy over the executive, as Parliament's decision is final.
  2. b.It reflects checks and balances, where each branch can constrain the other within constitutional limits.
  3. c.It shows executive dominance, since the President's concerns override the legislative action.
  4. d.It indicates judicial review, since only the courts can resolve such constitutional disagreements.

Solution

The process shows checks and balances, as the legislature can override a presidential veto, but only by a significant majority, ensuring no branch is absolute. Option A is tempting but legislative supremacy (as in a parliamentary system) is not accurate in Nigeria’s presidential structure, where powers are balanced, not concentrated.

Question 8

During a parliamentary debate, a member of the Nigerian National Assembly proposes a bill that increases federal control over state education. Which principle of federalism would most likely be challenged if the bill passes?

  1. a.Autonomy of state governments in specified areas
  2. b.Supremacy of the central government in all matters
  3. c.Delegation of powers to local authorities by the President
  4. d.Advice and consent function of the legislative branch

Solution

The principle of autonomy of state governments ensures states can manage their own affairs in areas like education. The most tempting distractor, 'Supremacy of the central government in all matters,' is wrong because while federal laws can override state laws in certain cases, federalism specifically limits central control in areas reserved for the states.

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