Government is a core JAMB subject that examines candidates’ knowledge of political systems, governance structures, political theories, and civic responsibilities. Regular practice of past questions helps students understand the types of questions asked, improve recall, and enhance exam readiness. This blog provides most repeated Government JAMB past questions and answers, divided into sections for structured learning.
Section 1: Government JAMB Past Questions 1–10
Most repeated Government JAMB Past Questions and Answers:
1. Which of the following is a function of government?
a) Entertainment
b) Law making and enforcement
c) Sports management
d) Trade only
Answer: b) Law making and enforcement
2. Sovereignty refers to:
a) Supreme power of the state
b) Wealth of the people
c) Religion in the state
d) Population size
Answer: a) Supreme power of the state
3. The three arms of government in a democracy are:
a) Executive, Legislative, Judicial
b) Executive, Military, Parliament
c) Legislature, Judiciary, Army
d) President, Governors, Judges
Answer: a) Executive, Legislative, Judicial
4. The legislature is responsible for:
a) Enforcing laws
b) Making laws
c) Interpreting laws
d) Collecting taxes only
Answer: b) Making laws
5. The executive arm of government is responsible for:
a) Interpreting laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Making laws
d) Adjudicating disputes
Answer: b) Enforcing laws
6. Judicial power in a democracy is exercised by:
a) Police
b) Judges and courts
c) President
d) Ministers
Answer: b) Judges and courts
7. Federalism means:
a) One level of government
b) Power shared between central and regional governments
c) Military rule
d) Local government autonomy only
Answer: b) Power shared between central and regional governments
8. Unitary government is characterized by:
a) Division of power
b) Single central government controlling all powers
c) Federalism
d) Democracy only
Answer: b) Single central government controlling all powers
9. Democracy is best described as:
a) Rule by one
b) Rule by law
c) Rule by the people
d) Rule by army
Answer: c) Rule by the people
10. An autocratic government is characterized by:
a) Rule by all citizens
b) Rule by the few elites
c) Rule by one person with absolute power
d) Power shared among states
Answer: c) Rule by one person with absolute power
Section 2: Government JAMB Past Questions 11–20
Most repeated Government JAMB Past Questions and Answers:
11. The president in Nigeria is elected for:
a) 3 years
b) 4 years
c) 5 years
d) 6 years
Answer: b) 4 years
12. The Nigerian constitution is:
a) Unwritten
b) Written
c) Customary law
d) Military decree
Answer: b) Written
13. Separation of powers ensures that:
a) One arm controls all functions
b) Powers of government are divided among arms
c) The president controls the legislature
d) Judiciary controls military
Answer: b) Powers of government are divided among arms
14. Universal adult suffrage means:
a) Only adults above 40 can vote
b) All adult citizens can vote regardless of status
c) Only educated adults can vote
d) Only landowners can vote
Answer: b) All adult citizens can vote regardless of status
15. The main function of political parties is to:
a) Make laws
b) Contest elections and form government
c) Enforce laws
d) Adjudicate disputes
Answer: b) Contest elections and form government
16. Checks and balances in government ensure that:
a) The president has unlimited powers
b) Each arm of government can limit powers of others
c) Legislature controls judiciary only
d) Military controls the executive
Answer: b) Each arm of government can limit powers of others
17. A coalition government is:
a) One party government
b) Alliance of two or more political parties to form government
c) Military government
d) Judiciary-controlled government
Answer: b) Alliance of two or more political parties to form government
18. A referendum is:
a) An election to choose a president
b) A direct vote by citizens on a specific issue
c) Selection of a governor
d) Appointment of ministers
Answer: b) A direct vote by citizens on a specific issue
19. The rule of law means:
a) Law is supreme and applies to everyone
b) President can ignore laws
c) Laws apply only to citizens
d) Judiciary makes all laws
Answer: a) Law is supreme and applies to everyone
20. Civil society organizations mainly:
a) Form political parties
b) Promote citizen welfare and accountability
c) Control government
d) Enforce laws
Answer: b) Promote citizen welfare and accountability
Section 3: Questions 21–30
Most repeated Government JAMB Past Questions and Answers:
21. A written constitution is one that is:
a) Found in customs
b) Contained in a single document
c) Passed orally
d) Controlled by tradition
Answer: b) Contained in a single document
22. The head of government in a presidential system is the:
a) Prime Minister
b) Monarch
c) President
d) Speaker
Answer: c) President
23. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is the:
a) President
b) Monarch
c) Prime Minister
d) Chief Justice
Answer: c) Prime Minister
24. The legislature in Nigeria is called the:
a) Parliament
b) National Assembly
c) House of Lords
d) Council of States
Answer: b) National Assembly
25. Bicameral legislature means:
a) One legislative house
b) Two legislative houses
c) Three legislative houses
d) Local councils only
Answer: b) Two legislative houses
26. The two chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly are:
a) Senate and House of Assembly
b) Senate and House of Representatives
c) House of Lords and Commons
d) Council and Parliament
Answer: b) Senate and House of Representatives
27. The judiciary is responsible for:
a) Making laws
b) Enforcing laws
c) Interpreting laws
d) Collecting revenue
Answer: c) Interpreting laws
28. Political apathy refers to:
a) Active participation in politics
b) Lack of interest in political activities
c) Military intervention
d) Party loyalty
Answer: b) Lack of interest in political activities
29. Citizenship by birth is acquired through:
a) Marriage
b) Naturalization
c) Descent or place of birth
d) Registration only
Answer: c) Descent or place of birth
30. Franchise means the:
a) Right to own property
b) Right to vote and be voted for
c) Right to free speech
d) Right to education
Answer: b) Right to vote and be voted for
Section 4: Questions 31–40
Most repeated Government JAMB Past Questions and Answers:
31. A constitution is best described as:
a) A political party document
b) A set of rules guiding the government
c) A court judgment
d) A military decree
Answer: b) A set of rules guiding the government
32. One feature of democracy is:
a) One-party system
b) Free and fair elections
c) Military control
d) Absolute power
Answer: b) Free and fair elections
33. Pressure groups are formed mainly to:
a) Contest elections
b) Influence government policies
c) Enforce laws
d) Control courts
Answer: b) Influence government policies
34. An electoral commission is responsible for:
a) Making laws
b) Conducting elections
c) Interpreting the constitution
d) Enforcing laws
Answer: b) Conducting elections
35. The Nigerian electoral body is known as:
a) FEDECO
b) NEC
c) INEC
d) NEO
Answer: c) INEC
36. A census is conducted mainly to determine:
a) Number of political parties
b) Population size
c) Number of voters
d) Government revenue
Answer: b) Population size
37. Political socialization is the process by which:
a) Laws are made
b) Citizens learn political values and attitudes
c) Elections are conducted
d) Government is formed
Answer: b) Citizens learn political values and attitudes
38. A military government comes to power through:
a) Elections
b) Coup d’état
c) Referendum
d) Coalition
Answer: b) Coup d’état
39. Fundamental human rights include the right to:
a) Free education
b) Life
c) Free housing
d) Employment
Answer: b) Life
40. The arm of government responsible for budget preparation is the:
a) Legislature
b) Judiciary
c) Executive
d) Electoral commission
Answer: c) Executive
Section 5: Questions 41–50
Most repeated Government JAMB Past Questions and Answers:
41. The main duty of the police is to:
a) Make laws
b) Interpret laws
c) Maintain law and order
d) Conduct elections
Answer: c) Maintain law and order
42. A political party is an organization that seeks to:
a) Enforce laws
b) Win elections and control government
c) Interpret the constitution
d) Conduct census
Answer: b) Win elections and control government
43. One feature of federalism is:
a) Centralized power
b) Division of powers
c) Military rule
d) One-party system
Answer: b) Division of powers
44. Nationalism refers to:
a) Love and loyalty to one’s country
b) Love for political parties
c) Religious belief
d) Support for foreign rule
Answer: a) Love and loyalty to one’s country
45. Public opinion refers to:
a) Views of government officials
b) Views of the majority of citizens on issues
c) Court judgments
d) Party manifestoes
Answer: b) Views of the majority of citizens on issues
46. An ombudsman is responsible for:
a) Conducting elections
b) Investigating complaints against government officials
c) Making laws
d) Enforcing laws
Answer: b) Investigating complaints against government officials
47. Political participation includes:
a) Voting and campaigning
b) Sleeping at home
c) Avoiding elections
d) Court judgments
Answer: a) Voting and campaigning
48. The rule of law promotes:
a) Arbitrary rule
b) Equality before the law
c) Military dominance
d) Party supremacy
Answer: b) Equality before the law
49. A unitary system of government concentrates power in the:
a) Local governments
b) Central government
c) Judiciary
d) Legislature only
Answer: b) Central government
50. The main purpose of government is to:
a) Control citizens
b) Maintain order and promote welfare
c) Serve political parties
d) Enrich leaders
Answer: b) Maintain order and promote welfare.