Past Questions and Answers

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

Etima Harrison June 15, 2026

435 8 minutes read

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

PAPER 1

OBJECTIVE TEST (Questions 1–60)

Instructions

Answer all questions. Choose the option that best answers each question.

1.

Commerce is concerned mainly with

A. Manufacturing goods
B. Extraction of minerals
C. Distribution and exchange of goods and services
D. Farming activities

Answer: C

2.

Which of the following is a direct aid to trade?

A. Banking
B. Insurance
C. Advertising
D. Buying and selling

Answer: D

3.

Production involving extraction of raw materials is

A. Secondary production
B. Tertiary production
C. Primary production
D. Commercial production

Answer: C

4.

The factor of production that organizes others is

A. Labour
B. Capital
C. Land
D. Entrepreneur

Answer: D

5.

Commerce bridges the gap between

A. Producers and consumers
B. Government and citizens
C. Farmers and traders
D. Banks and customers

Answer: A

6.

A sole proprietorship is owned by

A. One person
B. Two persons
C. Shareholders
D. Government

Answer: A

7.

The main objective of a business organization is to

A. Make profit
B. Increase population
C. Collect taxes
D. Create laws

Answer: A

8.

A partnership may have a maximum of

A. 2 members
B. 10 members in banking business
C. 100 members
D. Unlimited members

Answer: B

9.

The owners of a company are known as

A. Directors
B. Managers
C. Shareholders
D. Employees

Answer: C

10.

The document establishing a company is

A. Prospectus
B. Memorandum of Association
C. Invoice
D. Receipt

Answer: B

11.

Trade carried out within a country is

A. Foreign trade
B. International trade
C. Home trade
D. Entrepot trade

Answer: C

12.

A retailer sells goods

A. In bulk to wholesalers
B. To final consumers
C. To manufacturers
D. To importers

Answer: B

13.

One major function of a wholesaler is

A. Manufacturing goods
B. Breaking bulk
C. Mining minerals
D. Tax collection

Answer: B

14.

A supermarket operates mainly on

A. Self-service basis
B. Credit basis only
C. Door-to-door selling
D. Hawking

Answer: A

15.

The process of creating brand identity is called

A. Warehousing
B. Branding
C. Merchandising
D. Retailing

Answer: B

16.

Warehousing helps to

A. Destroy goods
B. Store goods until needed
C. Reduce production
D. Increase taxation

Answer: B

17.

A bonded warehouse stores

A. Imported goods awaiting duty payment
B. Agricultural products only
C. Building materials only
D. Finished goods only

Answer: A

18.

The shortest channel of distribution is

A. Producer → Consumer
B. Producer → Wholesaler → Retailer → Consumer
C. Producer → Agent → Retailer → Consumer
D. Producer → Agent → Wholesaler → Consumer

Answer: A

19.

Import trade refers to

A. Selling goods abroad
B. Buying goods from abroad
C. Manufacturing abroad
D. Transportation abroad

Answer: B

20.

Export trade means

A. Buying locally
B. Selling goods to another country
C. Retailing goods
D. Warehousing

Answer: B

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

21.

Balance of trade is the difference between

A. Imports and exports
B. Assets and liabilities
C. Revenue and expenditure
D. Savings and investment

Answer: A

22.

A favourable balance of trade occurs when

A. Imports exceed exports
B. Exports exceed imports
C. Imports equal exports
D. Trade ceases

Answer: B

23.

A bill of lading is issued by

A. Shipping company
B. Insurance company
C. Bank
D. Customs authority

Answer: A

24.

A letter of credit is usually issued by

A. Retailer
B. Warehouse manager
C. Bank
D. Transport company

Answer: C

25.

Money primarily serves as a

A. Means of exchange
B. Means of punishment
C. Means of production
D. Means of transportation

Answer: A

26.

The apex bank in Nigeria is the

A. Union Bank
B. Central Bank of Nigeria
C. First Bank
D. Access Bank

Answer: B

27.

Commercial banks mainly provide

A. Educational services
B. Banking services to the public
C. Legislative services
D. Security services

Answer: B

28.

An account that earns interest and allows savings is

A. Current account
B. Savings account
C. Fixed asset account
D. Trading account

Answer: B

29.

A cheque is

A. Legal tender
B. Credit instrument
C. Insurance policy
D. Share certificate

Answer: B

30.

The institution that insures deposits in Nigerian banks is

A. NDIC
B. NNPC
C. SON
D. NCC

Answer: A

31.

Insurance is a contract against

A. Certainty
B. Risk
C. Employment
D. Production

Answer: B

32.

The principle of utmost good faith is known as

A. Uberrimae fidei
B. Caveat emptor
C. Indemnity
D. Contribution

Answer: A

33.

Marine insurance covers

A. Buildings
B. Motor vehicles only
C. Sea-related risks
D. Human life only

Answer: C

34.

Life insurance covers

A. Property
B. Human life
C. Cargo only
D. Vehicles

Answer: B

35.

Indemnity means

A. Profit making
B. Restoration to former financial position
C. Saving money
D. Tax payment

Answer: B

36.

Road transport is most suitable for

A. Door-to-door services
B. Overseas trade only
C. Heavy crude oil movement
D. Intercontinental transport

Answer: A

37.

Pipeline transport is mainly used for

A. Passengers
B. Petroleum products
C. Livestock
D. Food items

Answer: B

38.

Air transport is characterized by

A. Low speed
B. Very high speed
C. Cheap cost only
D. Limited coverage

Answer: B

39.

The movement of information is known as

A. Transportation
B. Communication
C. Warehousing
D. Advertising

Answer: B

40.

Email is a form of

A. Electronic communication
B. Road transport
C. Insurance service
D. Warehousing

Answer: A

41.

Marketing involves

A. Production only
B. Exchange process satisfying customer needs
C. Government activities
D. Tax collection

Answer: B

42.

The four Ps of marketing include

A. Product, Price, Place, Promotion
B. Product, Profit, Planning, Purchase
C. Place, People, Profit, Policy
D. Product, Process, Profit, Population

Answer: A

43.

Advertising aims mainly at

A. Informing and persuading consumers
B. Manufacturing goods
C. Transporting goods
D. Warehousing goods

Answer: A

44.

Personal selling involves

A. Face-to-face communication with customers
B. Television advertising only
C. Radio broadcasting only
D. Newspaper publication only

Answer: A

45.

The Stock Exchange deals in

A. Farm produce
B. Securities
C. Vehicles
D. Machinery

Answer: B

46.

Shares represent

A. Ownership interest in a company
B. Insurance claims
C. Government taxes
D. Warehouse receipts

Answer: A

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

47.

Debentures are

A. Ownership securities
B. Long-term loans to companies
C. Retail products
D. Marketing tools

Answer: B

48.

Consumer protection seeks to

A. Exploit consumers
B. Protect consumer rights
C. Increase taxation
D. Reduce production

Answer: B

49.

SON stands for

A. Standard Organisation of Nigeria
B. Society of Nigeria
C. Service of Nigeria
D. Security Organisation of Nigeria

Answer: A

50.

NAFDAC protects consumers mainly through

A. Regulation of food and drugs
B. Building roads
C. Tax collection
D. Banking services

Answer: A

51.

Hire purchase allows payment

A. Immediately in full
B. By instalments
C. Through barter
D. Through gifts

Answer: B

52.

Franco means

A. Seller pays transportation charges
B. Buyer pays transportation charges
C. No transportation involved
D. Insurance only

Answer: A

53.

COD means

A. Cash on Delivery
B. Cost on Delivery
C. Credit on Delivery
D. Cargo on Demand

Answer: A

54.

The largest economic grouping in West Africa is

A. IMF
B. ECOWAS
C. OPEC
D. WTO

Answer: B

55.

ECOWAS was established mainly to promote

A. Regional economic cooperation
B. Religious activities
C. Sports development only
D. Political campaigns

Answer: A

56.

Nationalization involves

A. Government ownership of enterprises
B. Private ownership of enterprises
C. Foreign ownership only
D. Cooperative ownership

Answer: A

57.

Indigenization seeks to

A. Increase foreign ownership
B. Increase local participation in business ownership
C. Eliminate trade
D. Reduce employment

Answer: B

58.

E-commerce refers to

A. Electronic buying and selling
B. Road transport business
C. Banking only
D. Insurance only

Answer: A

59.

A trademark protects

A. Brand identity
B. Buildings
C. Employees
D. Warehouses

Answer: A

60.

A. Literary and artistic works
B. Land ownership
C. Banking services
D. Trade unions

Answer: A

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

PAPER 2

ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1

Define Commerce and explain five functions of Commerce.

Answer

Commerce refers to all activities involved in the distribution and exchange of goods and services from producers to final consumers. It includes trade and all the activities that facilitate trade such as transportation, communication, banking, insurance, warehousing and advertising.

Functions of Commerce

1. Facilitates Exchange

Commerce enables goods and services to move from producers to consumers.

2. Creates Utility

It creates place, time and possession utilities through transportation, warehousing and trade.

3. Promotes Specialization

Commerce allows producers to focus on production while others handle distribution.

4. Facilitates International Trade

Commerce encourages import and export activities among nations.

5. Improves Living Standards

By making goods available, commerce helps satisfy human wants and improve welfare.

Question 2

Explain the differences between home trade and foreign trade.

Answer

Home trade refers to buying and selling activities conducted within the borders of a country, while foreign trade involves transactions between different countries.

Home Trade	Foreign Trade
Takes place within a country	Takes place between countries
Uses one currency	May involve multiple currencies
Fewer regulations	More regulations
Less documentation	More documentation
Lower risks	Higher risks

Importance of Foreign Trade

Generates foreign exchange.
Encourages specialization.
Creates employment.
Promotes international cooperation.
Expands market opportunities.

Question 3

Discuss the functions of commercial banks in Nigeria.

Answer

Commercial banks are financial institutions licensed to accept deposits and provide banking services to the public.

Functions

Acceptance of Deposits

Banks accept savings, current and fixed deposit accounts.

Lending Activities

They provide loans and advances to businesses and individuals.

Agency Services

Banks collect dividends, bills and other payments on behalf of customers.

Money Transfer

They facilitate local and international transfers.

Foreign Exchange Services

Banks help customers exchange currencies.

Safe Custody

Valuables and important documents may be kept securely.

Importance

Commercial banks mobilize savings, facilitate investment and contribute to national economic growth.

Question 4

Explain the principles of insurance and their importance.

Answer

Insurance is an agreement whereby an insurer undertakes to compensate an insured against specified losses in return for premiums.

Principles

Utmost Good Faith

Both parties must disclose all material facts.

Insurable Interest

The insured must have a financial interest in the subject matter.

Indemnity

Compensation should restore the insured to the previous financial position.

Contribution

Multiple insurers share compensation proportionately.

Proximate Cause

Compensation is based on the nearest cause of loss.

Importance

Reduces business risks.
Encourages investment.
Promotes financial security.
Supports economic stability.
Protects lives and properties.

2026 WAEC Commerce Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

Question 5

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of road transport.

Answer

Road transport involves the movement of people and goods by vehicles on roads.

Advantages

Door-to-door service.
Flexible routes.
Quick delivery over short distances.
Suitable for perishable goods.
Relatively easy accessibility.

Disadvantages

High accident rates.
Traffic congestion.
High maintenance costs.
Limited carrying capacity.
Bad roads may hinder movement.

Road transport remains the most widely used transport system in Nigeria.

Question 6

Explain warehousing and state six functions of a warehouse.

Answer

Warehousing is the storage of goods until they are needed for use or sale. It helps bridge the gap between production and consumption.

Functions

Storage of goods.
Protection against theft and damage.
Stabilization of prices.
Facilitation of bulk breaking.
Provision of employment.
Financing through warehouse receipts.

Warehouses play an important role in modern distribution systems.

Question 7

Discuss the marketing mix (4Ps) and its importance.

Answer

The marketing mix refers to the combination of strategies used to satisfy customers and achieve business objectives.

Product

The goods or services offered to consumers.

Price

The amount charged for a product.

Place

The distribution channels through which products reach consumers.

Promotion

Activities used to create awareness and persuade customers.

Importance

Helps businesses satisfy customers.
Increases sales.
Enhances competitiveness.
Supports profitability.
Facilitates market expansion.

Marketing and promotion are major areas of the WAEC Commerce syllabus.

Question 8

Explain the objectives, achievements and challenges of ECOWAS.

Answer

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organization established to promote economic integration among West African countries.