WAEC Civic Education 2026 past questions and answers
55 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.
Question 1
National Values
By upholding values like honesty and respect, individuals contribute primarily to a more
A.efficient and productive society
B.competitive and innovative economy
C.trustworthy and cooperative society
D.secure and stable environment
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Answer: C (trustworthy and cooperative society)
Explanation
Honesty makes people trust one another and respect makes them willing to work together. So upholding these values primarily builds a trustworthy and cooperative society.
The most effective action of government to tackle cultism in the society is
A.formulation of policies against engaging in cultism
B.establishment of community outreach programmes to engage with cult members
C.implementation of policies that address socioeconomic factors contributing to cultism
D.collaboration with international organizations to share best practices
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Answer: C (implementation of policies that address socioeconomic factors contributing to cultism)
Explanation
A policy on paper changes nothing until it is carried out. Implementing policies that tackle the causes of cultism, such as poverty, unemployment and the search for protection, removes the reasons young people join cults.
Section A: National Ethics, Discipline, Rights and Obligations (a) Explain honesty. (b) State six consequences of dishonesty on individuals.
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Model answer
(a) Honesty is the quality of being truthful, sincere and fair in words and actions, without deceit, cheating or stealing. (b) Any six: loss of trust and credibility; bad reputation; loss of job or opportunities; punishment (fines, imprisonment, expulsion); broken relationships; guilt and stress; tendency to crime and corruption; loss of moral authority; impeachment or removal from office.
Explanation
Explain, then six consequences for the individual.
Section A: National Ethics, Discipline, Rights and Obligations (a) Mention five national symbols. (b) State five reasons the promotion of unity and integration is an imperative condition for national development.
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Model answer
(a) Any five: national flag; coat of arms; national anthem; national pledge; national currency (naira); national passport; constitution; national seal; national monuments. (b) Any five: promotes peace and stability needed for development; encourages co-operation among ethnic groups; attracts investment; promotes fair distribution of resources; prevents conflicts and secession; strengthens patriotism; allows full use of human and natural resources; improves national image.
Section A: National Ethics, Discipline, Rights and Obligations (a) What is universality of human rights? (b) With specific examples, explain the four categories of human rights.
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Model answer
(a) Universality of human rights means human rights belong equally to every human being everywhere, regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality or status. (b) Civil rights: protect personal freedom and dignity, e.g. right to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement. Political rights: allow participation in government, e.g. right to vote and be voted for, freedom of association, freedom of expression. Economic rights: concern livelihood and property, e.g. right to own property, right to work, fair wages. Social (and cultural) rights: concern welfare and culture, e.g. right to education, health care, social security, practise one's culture and religion.
Section B: Emerging Issues in the Society (a) Explain youth empowerment. (b) Explain six factors that constitute hindrance to achieving the objectives of youth empowerment programmes.
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Model answer
(a) Youth empowerment is giving young people skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities to become self-reliant and contribute to national development. (b) Any six, explained: corruption and diversion of funds; politicisation and selection by connections; inadequate funding and start-up capital; poor planning and monitoring; lack of continuity when governments change; poor infrastructure (power, roads); youths' preference for white-collar jobs; insecurity; inadequate training facilities.
Section B: Emerging Issues in the Society Explain five reasons victims of human trafficking do not seek help.
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Model answer
Any five, explained: Fear of traffickers' threats and violence against them or their families. Oaths and fear of spiritual consequences (juju). Seizure of passports; fear of arrest or deportation. Language barriers and ignorance of where to get help. Debt bondage. Shame and fear of stigma at home. Distrust of police and officials (corruption). Isolation and confinement.
Section B: Emerging Issues in the Society (a) Enumerate five effects of cult-related activities within school environment. (b) Explain five efforts of government in taming cultism in the Nigerian educational system.
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Model answer
(a) Any five: loss of lives; fear and insecurity; disruption and closure of schools; poor academic performance; destruction of property; rape, robbery and other crimes; expulsion of students; bad image for schools. (b) Any five, explained: laws banning secret cults (e.g. 1999 Constitution provisions, state anti-cult laws); expulsion and prosecution of cultists; students sign anti-cult undertakings at admission; enlightenment campaigns; improved campus security and police deployment; support for counselling and lawful student activities; amnesty for those who renounce cultism.
Section C: Governmental System and Processes (a) Explain judicial independence. (b) Highlight six ways of ensuring judicial independence in a democratic state.
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Model answer
(a) Judicial independence means judges decide cases freely according to law, without interference or pressure from the executive, legislature, parties or other interests. (b) Any six: appointment through an independent body (NJC); security of tenure; good salaries charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund; financial autonomy of the judiciary; immunity of judges from suits for judicial acts; removal only by due process; judges barred from partisan politics; separation of powers; respect for court judgments by government.
Section C: Governmental System and Processes (a) Identify five reasons for the adoption of representative democracy in Nigeria. (b) Explain five factors that retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
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Model answer
(a) Any five: large population; large size; complexity of modern government; ensures representation of all groups and constituencies; accountability through periodic elections; legitimacy; protection of rights. (b) Any five, explained: corruption; electoral malpractice and violence; political apathy; poverty and illiteracy; ethnic and religious divisions; godfatherism; weak institutions; insecurity; lack of internal party democracy.
Section C: Governmental System and Processes (a) Mention three reasons leaders failed to protect the interests of their followers. (b) Explain six ways leaders can take care of the interests of their followers.
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Model answer
(a) Any three: selfishness and greed; corruption; godfatherism (serving sponsors); lack of accountability; poor vision or incompetence; ethnic or religious bias. (b) Any six, explained: keeping campaign promises; consulting followers and listening to them; transparency and accountability; fair distribution of projects and amenities; protecting rights and the rule of law; providing security; creating jobs and empowerment; leading by example.