Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
PAPER 1
OBJECTIVE TEST
Time Allowed: 1 Hour
Instructions to Candidates
- Answer all questions.
- Choose the correct option from A–D.
- Each question carries equal marks.
- Credit will be given for accuracy.
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (1–60)
1. Government can be defined as the
A. machinery through which a state is governed
B. collection of traders in a market
C. association of workers only
D. gathering of community leaders
Answer: A
2. Government as an academic field of study deals with the study of
A. agriculture
B. political institutions and processes
C. commerce only
D. engineering
Answer: B
3. A state must possess
A. population, territory, government and sovereignty
B. constitution only
C. military only
D. political parties only
Answer: A
4. Sovereignty means the
A. ability to trade internationally
B. supreme power of a state
C. right to vote
D. existence of political parties
Answer: B
5. The authority of a government accepted by the people is known as
A. legitimacy
B. dictatorship
C. federalism
D. socialism
Answer: A
6. Democracy is best defined as government by
A. soldiers
B. judges
C. the people
D. kings
Answer: C
7. Rule of law was popularized by
A. Montesquieu
B. A. V. Dicey
C. Karl Marx
D. Jean Bodin
Answer: B
8. One principle of rule of law is
A. equality before the law
B. dictatorship
C. military rule
D. absolute monarchy
Answer: A
9. Fundamental human rights are usually guaranteed in a country’s
A. constitution
B. budget
C. anthem
D. flag
Answer: A
10. Separation of powers is associated with
A. Karl Marx
B. Montesquieu
C. Lenin
D. Hobbes
Answer: B
11. The organ of government responsible for law-making is the
A. Executive
B. Legislature
C. Judiciary
D. Civil Service
Answer: B
12. The interpretation of laws is mainly the function of the
A. Executive
B. Legislature
C. Judiciary
D. Cabinet
Answer: C
13. Judicial independence is important because it
A. promotes fairness in justice
B. strengthens dictatorship
C. weakens democracy
D. removes constitutions
Answer: A
14. A constitution is the
A. body of fundamental laws of a state
B. electoral commission
C. military decree only
D. political manifesto
Answer: A
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
15. A constitution that can be amended easily is
A. rigid
B. flexible
C. federal
D. republican
Answer: B
16. An unwritten constitution is best associated with
A. Nigeria
B. Ghana
C. United Kingdom
D. Liberia
Answer: C
17. Citizenship acquired by birth is known as
A. natural citizenship
B. honorary citizenship
C. registration
D. naturalization
Answer: A
18. One duty of a citizen is to
A. obey laws
B. engage in violence
C. evade taxes
D. rig elections
Answer: A
19. Political participation refers to
A. involvement in political activities
B. judicial processes only
C. military operations
D. tax collection
Answer: A
20. A political party is formed mainly to
A. win political power
B. organize entertainment
C. conduct religious activities
D. establish businesses
Answer: A
21. A one-party system is commonly associated with
A. dictatorship
B. democracy
C. federalism
D. confederalism
Answer: A
22. Pressure groups seek to
A. capture political power directly
B. influence government policies
C. conduct elections
D. interpret laws
Answer: B
23. Universal adult suffrage means
A. voting by all adults of legal age
B. voting by women only
C. voting by civil servants only
D. voting by party members only
Answer: A
24. An election conducted honestly is described as
A. indirect
B. free and fair
C. primary
D. manipulated
Answer: B
25. The body responsible for conducting elections in Nigeria is
A. EFCC
B. INEC
C. CBN
D. NPC
Answer: B
26. The Nigerian legislature at the federal level is known as the
A. National Assembly
B. Federal Council
C. Supreme Council
D. Executive Council
Answer: A
27. Nigeria operates a
A. unitary system
B. federal system
C. confederal system
D. monarchical system
Answer: B
28. Federalism involves
A. concentration of power at the center
B. division of powers between levels of government
C. abolition of state governments
D. military administration
Answer: B
29. One feature of federalism is
A. constitutional division of powers
B. dictatorship
C. one-party rule
D. absence of courts
Answer: A
30. The Exclusive Legislative List in Nigeria contains matters handled by the
A. Local Government only
B. State Government only
C. Federal Government only
D. Traditional rulers only
Answer: C
31. A confederation is a union of
A. sovereign states
B. local governments only
C. military units
D. villages only
Answer: A
32. In a presidential system, the President is both
A. Head of State and Head of Government
B. Head of Judiciary and Legislature
C. Party Chairman and Judge
D. Speaker and Governor
Answer: A
33. The parliamentary system originated from
A. France
B. Germany
C. Britain
D. Russia
Answer: C
34. The leader of government in a parliamentary system is the
A. President
B. Governor
C. Prime Minister
D. Speaker
Answer: C
35. Bicameral legislature means
A. one legislative chamber
B. two legislative chambers
C. three legislative chambers
D. four legislative chambers
Answer: B
36. The Nigerian Senate is the
A. lower chamber
B. upper chamber
C. judicial chamber
D. executive chamber
Answer: B
37. Public opinion refers to
A. views held by the public on issues
B. opinions of judges only
C. military directives
D. party manifestoes
Answer: A
38. The mass media performs the function of
A. information dissemination
B. law interpretation
C. law making
D. judicial review
Answer: A
39. One advantage of pressure groups is that they
A. represent public interests
B. conduct coups
C. abolish constitutions
D. replace governments permanently
Answer: A
40. Local government is established mainly to
A. bring government closer to the people
B. control foreign affairs
C. print currency
D. command the military
Answer: A
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
41. Public administration refers to
A. implementation of government policies
B. farming activities
C. religious administration
D. trade union activities
Answer: A
42. The permanent secretary is the administrative head of a
A. ministry
B. state
C. legislature
D. judiciary
Answer: A
43. Civil servants are expected to be
A. politically neutral
B. partisan always
C. military officers
D. elected officials
Answer: A
44. A public corporation is established mainly to
A. provide essential services
B. organize elections
C. conduct court proceedings
D. enact laws
Answer: A
45. Delegated legislation refers to laws made by
A. subordinate authorities
B. traditional rulers only
C. political parties
D. pressure groups
Answer: A
46. The 1999 Constitution established Nigeria as a
A. federation
B. monarchy
C. confederation
D. communist state
Answer: A
47. The doctrine of checks and balances is designed to
A. prevent abuse of power
B. promote dictatorship
C. weaken democracy
D. abolish constitutions
Answer: A
48. ECOWAS stands for
A. Economic Community of West African States
B. Economic Council of World African States
C. Electoral Commission of West Africa States
D. Economic Congress of African States
Answer: A
49. The headquarters of ECOWAS is located in
A. Lagos
B. Accra
C. Abuja
D. Dakar
Answer: C
50. The United Nations was established in
A. 1919
B. 1939
C. 1945
D. 1960
Answer: C
51. The principal organ of the United Nations responsible for peace and security is the
A. General Assembly
B. Security Council
C. Trusteeship Council
D. Secretariat
Answer: B
52. The African Union replaced the
A. ECOWAS
B. OAU
C. UN
D. NATO
Answer: B
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
53. Diplomacy refers to
A. management of international relations
B. military operations only
C. election campaigns
D. tax administration
Answer: A
54. Foreign policy is primarily concerned with a country’s
A. external relations
B. local government affairs
C. judicial appointments
D. taxation only
Answer: A
55. Non-alignment means
A. refusal to join military blocs
B. opposition to government
C. rejection of democracy
D. military dictatorship
Answer: A
56. Colonialism refers to
A. political control of one territory by another
B. federal government system
C. electoral process
D. public administration
Answer: A
57. Nationalism contributed significantly to
A. African independence movements
B. military coups only
C. monarchy
D. feudalism
Answer: A
58. One major feature of democracy is
A. periodic elections
B. military decrees
C. suspension of rights
D. one-man rule
Answer: A
59. Legitimacy strengthens government because it
A. earns public acceptance
B. abolishes constitutions
C. eliminates elections
D. weakens authority
Answer: A
60. Good governance is characterized by
A. accountability and transparency
B. corruption and oppression
C. dictatorship and violence
D. election rigging
Answer: A
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
PAPER 2
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Time Allowed: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Instructions to Candidates
- Answer five questions only.
- Answer at least two questions from Section A and three from Section B.
- All questions carry equal marks.
- Credit will be given for logical presentation, depth and relevant examples.
SECTION A — ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
QUESTION 1
Define government and explain five reasons why government is necessary in a state.
ANSWER
Government refers to the machinery, institution or body of persons through which the affairs of a state are directed, controlled and administered. Government is responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting citizens and promoting development.
Reasons Government is Necessary
1. Maintenance of Law and Order
Government establishes laws and ensures obedience through law enforcement agencies.
2. Protection of Lives and Property
Government provides security through the police, military and other agencies.
3. Provision of Social Amenities
Government provides roads, hospitals, schools and electricity.
4. Economic Management
Government regulates economic activities and promotes national development.
5. Administration of Justice
Government establishes courts to settle disputes and ensure justice.
QUESTION 2
Explain the doctrine of separation of powers and discuss its advantages.
ANSWER
The doctrine of separation of powers refers to the division of governmental powers among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. The principle was developed by Montesquieu to prevent concentration of power.
Advantages
- Prevents dictatorship.
- Promotes accountability.
- Protects individual rights.
- Encourages efficiency.
- Strengthens democracy.
- Prevents abuse of power.
The doctrine remains a major democratic principle in modern constitutional government.
QUESTION 3
Discuss the features, merits and demerits of federalism.
ANSWER
Federalism is a system of government in which powers are constitutionally divided between the central government and component units such as states.
Features
- Written constitution.
- Division of powers.
- Constitutional supremacy.
- Independent judiciary.
- Existence of different levels of government.
Proposed 2026 WAEC Government Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
Merits
- Encourages local autonomy.
- Promotes political participation.
- Reduces concentration of power.
- Accommodates ethnic diversity.
- Encourages regional development.
Demerits
- Expensive administration.
- Intergovernmental conflicts.
- Duplication of functions.
- Unequal development among states.
- Constitutional disputes.
Federalism remains a major feature of the Nigerian political system under the 1999 Constitution.
SECTION B — POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
QUESTION 4
Explain the functions of political parties in a democratic state.
ANSWER
Political parties are organized groups seeking political power through constitutional means.
Functions
- Political education of citizens.
- Recruitment of political leaders.
- Aggregation of public interests.
- Contesting elections.
- Formation of government.
- Providing opposition.
- Promoting national integration.
- Political socialization.
Political parties are essential instruments for democratic governance and political participation.
QUESTION 5
Examine the structure and functions of the Legislature in Nigeria.
ANSWER
The Legislature is the law-making organ of government.
Structure
Nigeria operates a bicameral legislature consisting of:
Senate
The upper legislative chamber.
House of Representatives
The lower legislative chamber.
Together they form the National Assembly.
Functions
- Making laws.
- Approving budgets.
- Oversight of executive activities.
- Ratification of treaties.
- Approval of appointments.
- Impeachment proceedings.
- Representation of citizens.
The Legislature plays a crucial role in checks and balances within the Nigerian democratic system.
QUESTION 6
Discuss the functions of the United Nations and identify its major organs.
ANSWER
The United Nations was established in 1945 to maintain international peace and cooperation.
Functions
- Promotion of international peace.
- Conflict resolution.
- Protection of human rights.
- Humanitarian assistance.
- Promotion of economic development.
- International cooperation.
Major Organs
- General Assembly.
- Security Council.
- International Court of Justice.
- Secretariat.
- Economic and Social Council.
- Trusteeship Council.
The United Nations remains the most important international organization in global politics.
QUESTION 7
Explain the concept of rule of law and discuss its importance in democratic governance.
ANSWER
Rule of law is the principle that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the law.
A.V. Dicey emphasized three major principles:
- Supremacy of the law.
- Equality before the law.
- Protection of individual rights.
Importance
- Prevents arbitrary government actions.
- Protects human rights.
- Promotes justice.
- Ensures equality.
- Strengthens democracy.
- Encourages political stability.
- Promotes accountability.
Rule of law is regarded as a fundamental principle of democratic government.
QUESTION 8
Examine the challenges facing public administration in Nigeria and suggest solutions.
ANSWER
Public administration involves implementing government policies and managing public institutions.
Challenges
Corruption
Misuse of public office for personal gain.
Political Interference
Excessive influence by politicians.
Inadequate Funding
Poor allocation of resources.
Bureaucratic Delays
Slow decision-making processes.
Lack of Professionalism
Poor training and inefficiency.
Poor Accountability
Weak monitoring systems.
Solutions
- Strengthening anti-corruption agencies.
- Improving transparency.
- Capacity building and staff training.
- Merit-based recruitment.
- Better funding.
- Digitalization of government services.
Efficient public administration is necessary for good governance and national development.
The questions above are modeled after the current WAEC Government syllabus areas including constitutional development, organs of government, federalism, citizenship, political parties, public administration and international relations.
