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UI Post-UTME Government 2023 (Model questions) past questions and answers

24 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.

Question 1

Legislature

What is the primary function of the legislature?

  1. A.To implement laws
  2. B.To interpret laws
  3. C.To enforce laws
  4. D.To make laws
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (To make laws)

Explanation

The legislature makes laws; the executive enforces them and the judiciary interprets them.

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Question 2

Rule of Law

The concept of rule of law means that:

  1. A.The judiciary is above the law
  2. B.Law is supreme
  3. C.Leaders are above the law
  4. D.Law is subordinate to leaders
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Law is supreme)

Explanation

Rule of law means the law is supreme and everyone, including leaders, is subject to it.

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Question 3

Legislature

A bill passed by the legislature becomes a law when it is:

  1. A.Approved by the judiciary
  2. B.Signed by the executive
  3. C.Published in the official gazette
  4. D.Supported by a referendum
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Signed by the executive)

Explanation

After the legislature passes a bill, it becomes law when the chief executive gives assent by signing it.

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Question 4

Federal, Unitary and Confederal Systems

Which of the following is not a feature of a federal system?

  1. A.Division of powers
  2. B.Single centralized government
  3. C.Multiple levels of government
  4. D.Written constitution
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Single centralized government)

Explanation

A single centralised government is a feature of a unitary system; federalism shares power between levels of government.

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Question 5

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The principle of separation of powers was proposed by:

  1. A.John Locke
  2. B.Montesquieu
  3. C.Thomas Hobbes
  4. D.Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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Answer: B (Montesquieu)

Explanation

Baron de Montesquieu set out the separation of powers in The Spirit of Laws (1748).

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Question 6

Democracy and Representative Government

The type of democracy practiced in Nigeria is:

  1. A.Direct democracy
  2. B.Representative democracy
  3. C.Monarchic democracy
  4. D.Authoritarian democracy
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Answer: B (Representative democracy)

Explanation

Nigerians elect representatives who make decisions for them, which is representative (indirect) democracy.

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Question 7

Executive

The main duty of the executive is to:

  1. A.Make laws
  2. B.Interpret laws
  3. C.Enforce laws
  4. D.Adjudicate laws
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Answer: C (Enforce laws)

Explanation

The executive carries out and enforces the laws made by the legislature.

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Question 8

Public Corporations

Which of the following is an example of a public corporation?

  1. A.Dangote Group
  2. B.Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
  3. C.Zenith Bank
  4. D.Shoprite
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Answer: B (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC))

Explanation

NNPC was set up and owned by government to manage Nigeria's petroleum; the others are private companies.

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Question 9

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The idea that government powers should be divided among different branches is known as:

  1. A.Checks and balances
  2. B.Rule of law
  3. C.Separation of powers
  4. D.Popular sovereignty
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Answer: C (Separation of powers)

Explanation

Dividing government power among the legislature, executive and judiciary is called separation of powers.

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Question 10

Pressure Groups

The primary aim of pressure groups is to:

  1. A.Contest elections
  2. B.Gain political power
  3. C.Influence government policies
  4. D.Form a government
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Answer: C (Influence government policies)

Explanation

Pressure groups seek to influence government policy, not to win power or form a government.

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Question 11

Federal, Unitary and Confederal Systems

Which of the following best describes a unitary system of government?

  1. A.Power is shared between the central and regional governments
  2. B.All governmental powers are concentrated in a single central authority
  3. C.Local governments have autonomy
  4. D.The judiciary is independent
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Answer: B (All governmental powers are concentrated in a single central authority)

Explanation

In a unitary system all power is held by the central government, which may delegate some to local bodies.

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Question 12

Judiciary

Which organ of government is responsible for interpreting the laws?

  1. A.Executive
  2. B.Legislature
  3. C.Judiciary
  4. D.Police
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Answer: C (Judiciary)

Explanation

The courts (judiciary) interpret laws and settle disputes.

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Question 13

Franchise, Elections and Electoral Systems

The main function of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria is to:

  1. A.Enforce laws
  2. B.Conduct elections
  3. C.Interpret laws
  4. D.Make laws
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Conduct elections)

Explanation

INEC organises and conducts federal elections in Nigeria.

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Question 14

Judiciary

The principle of judicial independence means that the judiciary:

  1. A.Is free from executive and legislative control
  2. B.Is subject to control by the legislature
  3. C.Must follow the directives of the executive
  4. D.Is accountable to political parties
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Answer: A (Is free from executive and legislative control)

Explanation

An independent judiciary decides cases by law, free from pressure by the executive or legislature.

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Question 15

Power, Authority, Legitimacy and Sovereignty

Which of the following best explains the term 'sovereignty'?

  1. A.The ability to govern without external interference
  2. B.A system of government where power is shared
  3. C.The division of government powers
  4. D.The right to participate in elections
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Answer: A (The ability to govern without external interference)

Explanation

Sovereignty is a state's supreme power to govern itself without outside interference.

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Question 16

Legislature

Bicameralism in a legislative system means:

  1. A.Two houses of parliament
  2. B.One house of parliament
  3. C.Three houses of parliament
  4. D.Four houses of parliament
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Answer: A (Two houses of parliament)

Explanation

'Bi' means two: a bicameral legislature has two chambers, like Nigeria's Senate and House of Representatives.

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Question 17

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The principle of checks and balances ensures that:

  1. A.Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches
  2. B.Government powers are concentrated in one branch
  3. C.The executive is the most powerful branch
  4. D.The judiciary makes laws
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches)

Explanation

Under checks and balances each branch can restrain the others, so none becomes too powerful.

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Question 18

Pressure Groups

The term 'civil society' refers to:

  1. A.Government institutions
  2. B.Military organizations
  3. C.Non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent citizens' interests
  4. D.Political parties
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Answer: C (Non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent citizens' interests)

Explanation

Civil society is the non-governmental groups (NGOs, unions, associations) that speak for citizens' interests.

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Question 20

Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Which of the following is a feature of a parliamentary system of government?

  1. A.Separation of head of state and head of government roles
  2. B.Fixed tenure for the executive
  3. C.Presidential veto power
  4. D.Judiciary controls the executive
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Separation of head of state and head of government roles)

Explanation

In a parliamentary system the head of state (monarch or ceremonial president) is separate from the head of government (prime minister).

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Question 21

League of Nations and United Nations

Which of the following is a primary function of the United Nations?

  1. A.Regulating international trade
  2. B.Promoting world peace and security
  3. C.Establishing colonial territories
  4. D.Creating regional alliances
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Answer: B (Promoting world peace and security)

Explanation

The UN's main purpose is to maintain international peace and security.

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Question 22

OPEC and Other International Organisations

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is primarily concerned with:

  1. A.Environmental protection
  2. B.Human rights
  3. C.International monetary cooperation
  4. D.Cultural exchanges
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Answer: C (International monetary cooperation)

Explanation

The IMF promotes international monetary cooperation and stable exchange rates, and lends to countries with balance-of-payments problems.

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Question 23

OPEC and Other International Organisations

Which international organization is responsible for regulating global trade?

  1. A.United Nations
  2. B.World Health Organization
  3. C.World Trade Organization
  4. D.International Court of Justice
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Answer: C (World Trade Organization)

Explanation

The World Trade Organization sets and enforces the rules of trade between nations.

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Question 24

Nigeria's Foreign Policy

A fundamental principle of Nigeria's foreign policy is:

  1. A.Expansionism
  2. B.Non-alignment
  3. C.Imperialism
  4. D.Colonialism
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Answer: B (Non-alignment)

Explanation

Since independence Nigeria has followed non-alignment, refusing to join either Cold War bloc.

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Question 25

Pre-colonial Political Systems

The political structure of the Oyo Empire was:

  1. A.Republican
  2. B.Democratic
  3. C.Monarchical
  4. D.Anarchical
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Monarchical)

Explanation

Oyo was ruled by a king, the Alaafin, checked by the Oyo Mesi, so it was monarchical.

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