Definition and scope of government
Our summary: Government as an institution, its characteristics and its functions.
Objectives
- define Government as an institution;
- state the characteristics of Government;
- explain the functions of Government.
JAMB • Government • Syllabus
JAMB Government Syllabus for UTME 2027
The JAMB Government syllabus is the list of topics UTME Government questions are set from, with the exam body's notes on how far each topic goes. Use it as a revision checklist: pick a topic, read what it covers, then practise past questions on it until you can answer them in exam time.
Syllabus content © The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Source. Summaries marked “Our summary” are written by DeeepSolve.
Government, its concepts and forms
Our summary: What government is, the key ideas used to describe states and power, and the different forms of government.
Basic concepts of government
Our summary: Power, authority, legitimacy and sovereignty, the state and the nation, and how people learn and take part in politics.
Contents
- Power, Influence, Authority, Legitimacy, Sovereignty
- Society, State, Nation, Nation-State
- Political ProcessesJAMB note: Political Socialization, Political Participation, Political Culture.
Objectives
- identify the fundamental concepts in governance;
- analyse various political processes;
- explain the relationship of the state to Government.
Forms of government
Our summary: Monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, autocracy, republicanism and democracy compared.
Contents
- Monarchy, Aristocracy, Oligarchy, Autocracy, Republicanism, DemocracyJAMB note: Definitions, features, merits and demerits.
Objectives
- distinguish between different forms of government;
- discuss the features of each of the forms of Government.
Structures, ideologies and principles of government
Our summary: The arms of government, unitary, federal and presidential or parliamentary systems, political ideologies, constitutions, democratic principles and how laws are made.
Arms of government
Our summary: The legislature, the executive and the judiciary, what each does, and how they relate to one another.
Contents
- The LegislatureJAMB note: Types, structure, functions, powers.
- The ExecutiveJAMB note: Types, functions, powers.
- The JudiciaryJAMB note: Functions, powers, components.
- Their relationships
Objectives
- identify the duties and obligations of the various arms of government and their agencies;
- relate each arm to its functions;
- appreciate how these arms interrelate.
Structures of governance
Our summary: Unitary, federal and confederal structures, why countries adopt them, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Contents
- UnitaryJAMB note: Features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
- FederalJAMB note: Features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
- ConfederalJAMB note: Features, reasons for adoption, merits and demerits.
Objectives
- compare the various political structures of governance;
- understand the reasons for the adoption of any of these structures of governance.
Systems of governance
Our summary: Presidential, parliamentary and monarchical systems compared.
Contents
- Presidential, Parliamentary and MonarchicalJAMB note: Features, merits and demerits.
Objectives
- distinguish between the different systems of governance;
- analyse the features, merits and demerits of each system of governance.
Political ideologies
Our summary: Communalism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism and other ideologies, and how they organise production.
Contents
- Communalism, Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Totalitarianism, Fascism, Nazism, Liberalism
Objectives
- differentiate between the major political ideologies;
- contrast their modes of production.
Constitution
Our summary: What a constitution is, where it comes from, what it does, and the main types.
Contents
- Meaning, Sources, Functions
- TypesJAMB note: Written, Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible.
Objectives
- define and identify sources and functions of constitutions;
- compare the nature of constitutions.
Principles of democratic government
Our summary: Accountability, separation of powers, checks and balances, the rule of law and the other principles of democratic government.
Contents
- Ethics and Accountability in Public Office, Separation of Power, Checks and Balances, Individual and Collective Responsibility, Constitutionalism, Rule of Law, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization of Government
Objectives
- identify the principles of democratic government;
- determine the application of these principles.
Processes of legislation
Our summary: The different kinds of laws, from acts and edicts to bye-laws and decrees, and how they are made.
Contents
- Legislative EnactmentsJAMB note: Acts, Edicts, Bye-laws, Delegated Legislation, Decrees.
Objectives
- analyse the processes involved in the making of laws.
Citizenship, political participation and public administration
Our summary: Citizens' rights and duties, how people take part in politics through elections, parties, pressure groups and public opinion, and the civil service.
Citizenship
Our summary: The types of citizenship, how it is gained and lost, and the duties of citizens and of the state.
Contents
- Meaning, types
- Citizenship rights
- Dual citizenship, renunciation, deprivation
- Duties and obligations of citizens
- Duties and obligations of the state
Objectives
- differentiate between the various methods of acquiring citizenship;
- specify the rights and responsibilities of a citizen;
- assess the obligations of the state.
The electoral process
Our summary: The right to vote, kinds of election and what makes them free and fair, electoral systems, and the electoral commission.
Contents
- SuffrageJAMB note: Evolution, types.
- ElectionJAMB note: Types, ingredients of free and fair election, pre- and post-election crisis.
- Electoral SystemJAMB note: Types, advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Electoral CommissionJAMB note: Functions, problems.
Objectives
- distinguish the different types of franchise;
- identify and explain the types of electoral systems;
- analyse the various electoral processes.
Political parties and party systems
Our summary: What political parties are, how they are organised and what they do, and the different party systems.
Contents
- Political partiesJAMB note: Definition, organization, functions.
- Party SystemsJAMB note: Definition, organization, functions, merits and demerits.
Objectives
- assess the role of political parties;
- distinguish between types of party systems.
Pressure groups
Our summary: The kinds of pressure groups, how they work, and how they differ from political parties.
Contents
- Definition, types, functions and modes of operation
- Differences between Pressure Groups and Political Parties
Objectives
- evaluate the functions and the modus operandi of pressure groups;
- distinguish between pressure groups and political parties.
Public opinion
Our summary: How public opinion forms, how it is measured, and what it can and cannot do.
Contents
- Meaning, formation and measurement
- Functions and limitations
Objectives
- compare methods of assessing public opinion;
- assess the functions of public opinion;
- analyse the limitations of public opinion.
The civil service/public service
Our summary: What the civil service and the wider public service are, how they are structured and controlled, and their problems.
Contents
- Definition, characteristics, functions, structure, control and problems of the civil service
- Definition, characteristics, functions, structure, control and problems of the public service
Objectives
- analyse the significance of civil service in governance;
- distinguish between the civil service and public service.
Nigeria from pre-colonial times to independence
Our summary: How the peoples of Nigeria were governed before colonial rule, how Britain took over and ruled, the road to independence, and the colonial constitutions.
Pre-colonial polities
Our summary: How the pre-jihad Hausa, the Hausa/Fulani emirates, the Tiv, the Igbo and the Yoruba were governed.
Contents
- Pre-jihad Hausa/Fulani Emirate, Tiv, Igbo, Yoruba
- Their structural organization
- The functions of their various political institutions
Objectives
- appreciate the effectiveness of the pre-colonial political systems;
- compare pre-colonial systems of governance.
Imperialist penetration
Our summary: How Britain acquired Nigeria, British and French colonial policies compared, and the impact of British rule.
Contents
- The British process of acquisitionJAMB note: Trade, missionary activities, company rule, crown colony, protectorate.
- The British colonial administrative policyJAMB note: Direct and indirect rule.
- The French colonial administrative policyJAMB note: Assimilation and association.
- Impact of British colonial ruleJAMB note: Economic, political, socio-cultural.
- Comparison of British and French colonial administration
Objectives
- trace the processes of imperialist penetration;
- assess the impact of British and French colonial policies;
- distinguish between British and French colonial practices.
Process of decolonization
Our summary: Nationalism, the movements, leaders and parties that pushed for independence, and the outside ideas and events that helped them.
Contents
- NationalismJAMB note: Meaning, Types.
- Nationalist MovementsJAMB note: Emergence, goals, strategies.
- Nationalist LeadersJAMB note: Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Ladipo Solanke, Aminu Kano, J. S. Tarka, Tafawa Balewa and others.
- Emergence of Nationalist Parties
- Influence of external factors
Objectives
- evaluate the process of decolonization;
- assess the roles of nationalist leaders and parties;
- assess the impact of external forces and ideas (Pan-Africanism, Back-to-Africa Movements, Second World War etc.).
Constitutional development in Nigeria
Our summary: The features, merits and demerits of Nigeria's constitutions from Clifford in 1922 to independence in 1960.
Contents
- Hugh Clifford Constitution (1922)
- Arthur Richards Constitution (1946)
- John Macpherson Constitution (1951)
- Oliver Lyttelton Constitution (1954)
- Independence Constitution (1960)
Notes
- Their features, merits and demerits.
Objectives
- compare the various constitutional developments;
- analyse the merits and demerits of each of the constitutions.
Nigerian government and politics since independence
Our summary: Nigeria's constitutions and institutions since 1960, public commissions, parties in the four republics, federalism, public corporations, local government and military rule.
Post-independence constitutions
Our summary: The characteristics and shortcomings of the 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions.
Contents
- 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 (As Amended)JAMB note: Characteristics and shortcomings.
Objectives
- assess the workings of the various Constitutions;
- analyse the merits and demerits of the Post-Independence Constitutions in Nigeria.
Institutions of government in post-independence Nigeria
Our summary: How Nigeria's legislature, executive and judiciary are structured and how they work in practice.
Contents
- The LegislativeJAMB note: Structures, functions and workings.
- The ExecutiveJAMB note: Structure, functions and workings.
- The JudiciaryJAMB note: Structure, functions and workings.
Objectives
- evaluate the operations of the Arms of government and their agencies, e.g., the Civil Service, Armed Forces, Police, Courts and others.
Public commissions established by the 1979 and subsequent constitutions
Our summary: The civil service, electoral, anti-corruption and other public commissions, what they do, and the problems they face.
Contents
- The Civil Service Commission, the Public Complaints Commission, Electoral Commissions, National Boundary Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and OthersJAMB note: Objectives, functions and problems.
Objectives
- evaluate the operations of Public Commissions;
- assess the problems of the Public Commissions and their constraints.
Political parties and party politics in post-independence Nigeria
Our summary: How political parties evolved and were organised in Nigeria's First, Second, Third and Fourth Republics.
Contents
- First Republic
- Second Republic
- Third Republic
- Fourth Republic
Notes
- Evolution, membership spread, structure, etc.
Objectives
- contrast political processes in the republics;
- evaluate the ideologies, structure and composition of the political parties.
The structure and workings of Nigerian federalism
Our summary: Why Nigeria is a federation, its tiers of government, state creation, and the problems of Nigerian federalism and their solutions.
Contents
- Rationale for a Federal System
- Tiers of Government and their relationship
- Creation of StatesJAMB note: 1963, 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991, 1996.
- Problems of Nigerian FederalismJAMB note: Census, Revenue Allocation, Conflicts etc. solutions e.g. The Federal Character Principle, etc.
Objectives
- examine the workings of Nigerian federalism;
- identify its problems;
- evaluate the corrective measures to be adopted.
Public corporations and parastatals
Our summary: What public corporations and parastatals are, how they are funded and controlled, and deregulation, privatisation and commercialisation.
Contents
- Definition, types, purpose and functions
- Finance, control and problems
- Deregulation, Privatization and CommercializationJAMB note: Objectives, features, merits and demerits.
- Comparison between Public Corporations and parastatals
Objectives
- examine the operations of public corporations and parastatals;
- identify the processes involved in privatization and commercialization;
- assess the economic importance of privatization and commercialization.
Local government
Our summary: Local government before 1976, the 1976 and 1989 reforms, the place of traditional rulers, and local government's problems.
Contents
- Local Government Administration prior to 1976
- Features of Local Government Reforms (1976, 1989)JAMB note: Structure, functions, finance and inter-governmental relations.
- Traditional Rulers and Local Governments
- Problems of Local Government Administration in Nigeria
Objectives
- trace the evolution and structure of Local Government;
- identify the major problems faced by Local Governments;
- analyse the roles of Traditional Rulers in the Local Government system in Nigeria.
The military in Nigerian politics
Our summary: Why the military took power in Nigeria, how military regimes were structured, what they did, and how they handed over.
Contents
- Factors that led to military intervention
- Structure of military regimes
- Impact of military ruleJAMB note: Political, e.g. creation of states, NYSC, introduction of unitary system (Unification Decree No. 34) etc.; economic, e.g. SAP, DFRRI, People's Bank, MAMSER, etc.
- Processes of military disengagement
Objectives
- evaluate the reasons given for military intervention;
- assess the achievements of military rule;
- determine the conditions that necessitated withdrawal from the political scene.
Foreign policy and international organizations
Our summary: What foreign policy is, Nigeria's foreign policy towards the world and Africa, and the international organizations Nigeria belongs to.
Foreign policy
Our summary: What foreign policy is, what shapes it, and how it is made and carried out.
Contents
- Definition, purpose, determining factors; formulation and implementation
Objectives
- define foreign policy, identify and explain its determinants.
Nigeria's foreign policy
Our summary: Nigeria's relations with the major powers and developing countries, and its policy of non-alignment.
Contents
- Relations with major powers
- Relations with developing countriesJAMB note: e.g. the Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Peace-Keeping Operations etc.
- Nigeria's Non-Alignment Policy
Objectives
- identify the major objectives of Nigeria's foreign policy;
- analyse Nigeria's non-aligned posture during the cold war.
Nigeria's relations with African countries
Our summary: Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria's foreign policy, and NEPAD.
Contents
- Africa as the "centre piece" of Nigeria's foreign policyJAMB note: Guiding principles, implementation and implications.
- NEPADJAMB note: Origin, objectives and implications.
Objectives
- evaluate the role of Nigeria in continental affairs;
- assess the role of NEPAD in developing Africa.
Nigeria in international organizations
Our summary: Nigeria's part in the UN, the Commonwealth, the OAU and AU, ECOWAS and OPEC.
Contents
- The United Nations
- The Commonwealth
- The Organization of African Unity
- The African Union
- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Objectives
- analyse the dynamics of Nigeria's involvement in international organizations;
- assess their contribution to the development of Nigeria.
International organizations
Our summary: The origin, aims, structure, achievements and problems of ECOWAS, the OAU and AU, the Commonwealth, OPEC, the UN and the African Petroleum Producers Association.
Contents
- ECOWAS
- OAU, AU
- Commonwealth
- OPEC
- UNO
- African Petroleum Producers Association
Notes
- Origin, objectives, structure, functions, achievements, problems and prospects of these organizations.
Objectives
- evaluate the operations of these international organizations;
- assess the role of these organizations in world affairs;
- appreciate the challenges of these organizations and how they can be overcome.
More from the JAMB Government syllabus
General objectives
- The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Government is to prepare the candidates for the Board's examination. It is designed to test their knowledge in Government, with a view to determining their suitability for placement in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. These objectives are to:
- appreciate the meaning of Government;
- analyse the framework and specify the institutions of Government;
- appreciate the basic principles of democratic governance and their application in Nigeria;
- explain the concept of citizenship and define the duties and obligations of a citizen;
- appreciate the process of political development in Nigeria;
- evaluate the political development and problems of governance in Nigeria;
- understand the determinants and dynamics of foreign policy as they relate to Nigeria;
- assess the role of Nigeria as a member of the international community and the workings of international organizations.
Recommended texts
- Essentials of Government for West Africa
- Adigwe, F. (1985), Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Elements of Politics
- Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. C. (eds) (1999), Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited.
- The Substance of Politics
- Appadorai, A. (1978), London: Oxford University Press.
- Modern Politics and Government
- Ball, A. R. (1983), London: Macmillan.
- Fundamental of Government A complete Guide for Schools and Colleges
- Christopher, O. (2022), Markins (Ugo) International Company Press, Delta State, Nigeria.
- Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools
- Dibie, C. Chris (2020), Ibafo, Ogun State: Tonad Publishers Limited.
- Exam Focus Government for WASSC & SSCE
- Gboyega, A., Obiyan, S. and Mimiko, F. (ed.) (2001), Ibadan: Ibadan University Press Plc.
- Government for the Certificate Year
- Ofoegbu, R. (1977), London: George Allen and Unwin.
- New Topics on Ordinary Level Government
- Olawale, J. B. (1987), Ilesha: Jola Publishing.
- Government Simplified Completely Revised and Expanded for Senior Secondary Schools SSS1-3
- Oluonye, A. U. (2023), Andyson Press Limited, Garki-FCT-Abuja.
- Government for Senior Secondary Schools, Books 1, 2 and 3
- Oyediran, O., Nwosu, H., Takaya, B., Anifowoshe, R., Femi, B., Godwill, O. and Adigun, A. (1990), Ibadan: Longman.
- Round-Up Government for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination: A Complete Guide
- Oyeneye, I., Onyenwenu, M. and Olusunde, B. E. (2000), Ibadan: Longman.
- Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination: Government
- Oyovbaire, S., Ogunna, A. E. C., Amucheazi, E. C., Coker, H. O. and Oshuntuyi, O. (2001), Ibadan: Evans.