Past Questions and Answers

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

Etima Harrison June 2, 2026

2,104 9 minutes read

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

PAPER 1

OBJECTIVE TEST

Time Allowed: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Instructions to Candidates

Answer all questions.
Choose the correct option from A–D.
Each question carries equal marks.
Use HB pencil where necessary.

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OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (1–60)

1. Geography is the study of

A. plants only
B. man’s interaction with his environment
C. rocks only
D. government

Answer: B

2. The Earth rotates from

A. North to South
B. East to West
C. West to East
D. South to North

Answer: C

3. The shape of the Earth is best described as

A. spherical
B. cubical
C. cylindrical
D. triangular

Answer: A

4. The imaginary line dividing the Earth into two equal halves is the

A. Tropic of Cancer
B. Equator
C. Prime Meridian
D. Arctic Circle

Answer: B

5. Longitude 0° passes through

A. Abuja
B. Lagos
C. Greenwich
D. Cairo

Answer: C

6. The Earth takes approximately ______ to revolve round the sun.

A. 24 hours
B. 30 days
C. 365¼ days
D. 12 months

Answer: C

7. The major cause of day and night is

A. revolution
B. rotation
C. eclipses
D. gravity

Answer: B

8. The instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure is

A. thermometer
B. rain gauge
C. barometer
D. hygrometer

Answer: C

9. The instrument used for measuring rainfall is

A. rain gauge
B. barometer
C. anemometer
D. thermometer

Answer: A

10. Relative humidity is measured with

A. barometer
B. hygrometer
C. wind vane
D. thermometer

Answer: B

11. Wind speed is measured using

A. hygrometer
B. thermometer
C. anemometer
D. barometer

Answer: C

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

12. The hottest layer of the atmosphere is

A. troposphere
B. stratosphere
C. thermosphere
D. mesosphere

Answer: C

13. Weather refers to

A. average atmospheric condition
B. short-term atmospheric condition
C. climate zone
D. rainfall pattern

Answer: B

14. Climate refers to weather conditions over

A. one day
B. one week
C. a long period
D. one month

Answer: C

15. Condensation occurs when water vapour

A. evaporates
B. freezes
C. cools into liquid droplets
D. disappears

Answer: C

16. The process by which water changes into vapour is

A. condensation
B. precipitation
C. evaporation
D. transpiration

Answer: C

17. A V-shaped valley is formed mainly by

A. rivers
B. glaciers
C. wind
D. waves

Answer: A

18. The wearing away of rocks is known as

A. deposition
B. erosion
C. folding
D. faulting

Answer: B

19. The breakdown of rocks in their original location is called

A. weathering
B. erosion
C. transportation
D. deposition

Answer: A

20. Igneous rocks are formed by

A. deposition
B. cooling and solidification of magma
C. compression
D. weathering

Answer: B

21. Granite is an example of

A. sedimentary rock
B. metamorphic rock
C. igneous rock
D. volcanic ash

Answer: C

22. Coal is an example of

A. igneous rock
B. sedimentary rock
C. metamorphic rock
D. volcanic rock

Answer: B

23. Fold mountains are formed through

A. compression
B. deposition
C. weathering
D. volcanicity

Answer: A

24. The Himalayas are examples of

A. volcanic mountains
B. fold mountains
C. block mountains
D. residual mountains

Answer: B

25. Earthquakes are caused mainly by

A. river erosion
B. movement of tectonic plates
C. rainfall
D. wind action

Answer: B

26. Population density means

A. birth rate
B. number of people per unit area
C. death rate
D. migration rate

Answer: B

27. Migration refers to

A. increase in birth rate
B. movement of people
C. increase in death rate
D. urbanization only

Answer: B

28. Rural-urban migration is movement from

A. city to village
B. village to city
C. city to city
D. village to village

Answer: B

29. Census is

A. population estimate
B. official counting of population
C. migration record
D. tax register

Answer: B

30. The most populous country in Africa is

A. Egypt
B. Kenya
C. Nigeria
D. Algeria

Answer: C

31. Agriculture means

A. manufacturing goods
B. cultivation of crops and rearing of animals
C. transportation
D. mining

Answer: B

32. Shifting cultivation is common in

A. tropical regions
B. deserts
C. tundra
D. Mediterranean areas

Answer: A

33. Cocoa is mainly grown in

A. savanna regions
B. rainforest regions
C. desert regions
D. tundra regions

Answer: B

34. The leading cocoa-producing region in Nigeria is

A. North-East
B. South-West
C. North-West
D. South-East

Answer: B

35. Petroleum is a

A. renewable resource
B. non-renewable resource
C. agricultural product
D. forest product

Answer: B

36. The largest oil-producing area in Nigeria is

A. Chad Basin
B. Jos Plateau
C. Niger Delta
D. Sokoto Basin

Answer: C

37. Manufacturing industries transform

A. raw materials into finished goods
B. rainfall into streams
C. forests into reserves
D. minerals into rocks

Answer: A

38. Transportation facilitates

A. movement of people and goods
B. rainfall
C. mining
D. weathering

Answer: A

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

39. The busiest seaport in Nigeria is

A. Warri Port
B. Calabar Port
C. Lagos Port
D. Onne Port

Answer: C

40. Tourism contributes to

A. unemployment
B. foreign exchange earnings
C. soil erosion
D. drought

Answer: B

41. GIS stands for

A. Geographic Information System
B. Government Information Service
C. Global International Survey
D. Geographic International Service

Answer: A

42. Remote sensing involves

A. direct observation only
B. obtaining information from a distance
C. mining
D. farming

Answer: B

43. The scale of a map indicates

A. direction
B. relationship between map and ground distance
C. contour height
D. latitude

Answer: B

44. Contour lines join places of equal

A. rainfall
B. temperature
C. height
D. pressure

Answer: C

45. Closely spaced contours indicate

A. gentle slope
B. steep slope
C. valley
D. plateau

Answer: B

46. A plateau is

A. lowland area
B. elevated flat land
C. depression
D. valley

Answer: B

47. Desertification is common in

A. Southern Nigeria
B. Northern Nigeria
C. Coastal areas only
D. River valleys only

Answer: B

48. Deforestation refers to

A. planting forests
B. removal of forest cover
C. irrigation
D. grazing

Answer: B

49. Global warming results mainly from

A. greenhouse gases
B. earthquakes
C. volcanic eruptions only
D. ocean currents

Answer: A

50. The largest ocean in the world is the

A. Atlantic Ocean
B. Indian Ocean
C. Pacific Ocean
D. Arctic Ocean

Answer: C

51. Nigeria lies within the

A. temperate zone
B. tropical zone
C. polar zone
D. Mediterranean zone

Answer: B

52. The vegetation of Northern Nigeria is mainly

A. rainforest
B. mangrove swamp
C. savanna
D. Mediterranean scrub

Answer: C

53. Mangrove forests are found mainly in

A. coastal areas
B. mountains
C. plateaus
D. deserts

Answer: A

54. The River Niger empties into the

A. Atlantic Ocean
B. Mediterranean Sea
C. Red Sea
D. Indian Ocean

Answer: A

55. The confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue is at

A. Lagos
B. Lokoja
C. Kano
D. Enugu

Answer: B

56. The largest continent by area is

A. Africa
B. Europe
C. Asia
D. North America

Answer: C

57. The smallest continent is

A. Europe
B. Australia
C. Antarctica
D. South America

Answer: B

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

58. The ozone layer is found mainly in the

A. troposphere
B. stratosphere
C. thermosphere
D. mesosphere

Answer: B

59. The major source of energy in the Earth-atmosphere system is

A. moon
B. stars
C. sun
D. volcanoes

Answer: C

60. Geography helps us to understand

A. environmental relationships
B. politics only
C. biology only
D. chemistry only

Answer: A

PAPER 2

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Time Allowed: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

Instructions

Answer five questions only. All questions carry equal marks.

QUESTION 1

(a) Define weather and climate.

(b) Explain five factors affecting climate.

ANSWER

Definition of Weather

Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere of a place at a particular time with respect to temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, sunshine and atmospheric pressure. Weather changes from hour to hour and from day to day.

Definition of Climate

Climate refers to the average weather conditions of a place over a long period, usually about 30–35 years. It represents the general atmospheric characteristics of a region.

Factors Affecting Climate

1. Latitude

Latitude affects the amount of solar energy received by a place. Areas near the Equator receive direct sunlight throughout the year and therefore experience higher temperatures. Areas farther from the Equator receive slanting rays and are generally cooler.

2. Altitude

Temperature decreases with increasing height above sea level. High altitude areas such as plateaus and mountains are cooler than lowland regions because the atmosphere becomes thinner with height.

3. Distance from the Sea

Large water bodies moderate temperature. Coastal areas experience milder temperatures and higher rainfall than inland areas because water heats and cools more slowly than land.

4. Ocean Currents

Warm ocean currents increase temperatures and rainfall in adjacent coastal areas, while cold currents lower temperatures and may reduce rainfall.

5. Prevailing Winds

Winds transport moisture and heat from one region to another. Moist winds from oceans often bring rainfall, while dry continental winds may result in arid conditions.

QUESTION 2

Discuss the processes of weathering and explain its importance to human activities.

ANSWER

Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks in their original position without movement.

Types of Weathering

Physical (Mechanical) Weathering

This involves the breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without changing their chemical composition.

Examples include:

Exfoliation
Frost action
Temperature changes
Pressure release

Chemical Weathering

This involves the alteration of rock minerals through chemical reactions.

Examples include:

Oxidation
Carbonation
Hydrolysis
Solution

Biological Weathering

This occurs through the activities of plants, animals and microorganisms.

Examples include:

Root action
Burrowing animals
Human activities

Importance of Weathering

Soil Formation

Weathering produces soil necessary for agriculture.

Mineral Release

Important minerals become available through weathering.

Construction Materials

Weathered rocks provide sand, gravel and clay used in building.

Groundwater Storage

Weathered rocks enhance water infiltration and groundwater accumulation.

Landscape Development

Many landforms result from weathering processes.

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

QUESTION 3

Explain the causes, effects and solutions to population growth in Nigeria.

ANSWER

Population growth refers to an increase in the number of people living in a particular area over time.

Causes

High Birth Rate

Many Nigerian families traditionally prefer large family sizes.

Improved Healthcare

Medical advancements have reduced mortality rates.

Improved Nutrition

Better nutrition has increased life expectancy.

Cultural and Religious Influences

Certain traditions encourage large families.

Effects

Pressure on Social Amenities

Schools, hospitals and housing become overcrowded.

Unemployment

Job opportunities may not keep pace with population growth.

Environmental Degradation

Deforestation and pollution may increase.

Food Shortages

Food demand may exceed supply.

Solutions

Family Planning Programs

Public awareness campaigns can encourage responsible family size.

Education

Educated populations tend to have lower fertility rates.

Economic Development

Improved living standards often reduce population growth rates.

Improved Rural Development

Reducing rural poverty can help stabilize migration and population pressure.

QUESTION 4

Describe the major vegetation zones of Nigeria and explain their economic importance.

ANSWER

Nigeria has several vegetation zones determined mainly by rainfall and temperature.

Mangrove Swamp Forest

Found in the coastal Niger Delta region.

Importance

Fishing activities
Timber production
Coastal protection

Freshwater Swamp Forest

Located inland from the mangrove belt.

Importance

Farming
Fishing
Timber resources

Tropical Rainforest

Found mainly in Southern Nigeria.

Importance

Timber production
Cocoa cultivation
Biodiversity conservation

Guinea Savanna

Found in the Middle Belt.

Importance

Food crop cultivation
Livestock grazing

Sudan Savanna

Found in Northern Nigeria.

Importance

Groundnut farming
Cotton production

Sahel Savanna

Found in the extreme northern region.

Importance

Livestock rearing
Drought-resistant crop cultivation

QUESTION 5

Explain the importance of transportation to the economic development of Nigeria.

ANSWER

Transportation refers to the movement of people, goods and services from one place to another.

Importance

Promotion of Trade

Transportation enables goods to move from producers to consumers.

Agricultural Development

Farm produce can easily reach markets.

Industrial Growth

Raw materials and finished products are transported efficiently.

Employment Generation

The transport sector provides direct and indirect jobs.

National Integration

Transportation links different regions and promotes unity.

Tourism Development

Tourists can easily access tourist destinations.

Revenue Generation

Government earns revenue through transport-related taxes and fees.

International Trade

Ports, airports and roads facilitate exports and imports.

A well-developed transportation network is essential for sustainable national development.

2026 WAEC Geography Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

QUESTION 6

Explain the causes, effects and control measures of desertification in Northern Nigeria.

ANSWER

Desertification refers to the gradual degradation of land in arid and semi-arid regions, resulting in desert-like conditions.

Causes

Deforestation.
Overgrazing.
Bush burning.
Climate change.
Poor farming methods.
Drought.

Effects

Loss of fertile land.
Reduced agricultural productivity.
Food insecurity.
Migration of people.
Loss of biodiversity.
Increased poverty.

Control Measures

Afforestation.
Shelterbelt establishment.
Controlled grazing.
Irrigation projects.
Public environmental education.
Sustainable land management practices.

Desertification remains one of the most significant environmental challenges facing Northern Nigeria and requires coordinated government and community action.