A bill that applies to the whole population and is intended to promote the general welfare is called _________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the type of bill that applies to the whole population and promotes general welfare. The key words are "whole population" and "general welfare."

Step 2: Explain the concept In a legislature (such as Nigeria's National Assembly), bills are classified by who they affect:

• Public bill: Affects the entire society or the general public. It deals with matters of national interest, such as taxation, education, health, and security. It can be introduced by the government or by any member of the legislature.
• Private bill: Affects only a particular individual, group, company, or locality, such as a bill to incorporate a specific organization.
• Appropriation bill: Authorizes government spending (the budget). It is about money, not general welfare legislation. Note that option C says "appropriate bill," which is likely a misspelling of this.
• Decree: This is not a bill at all. A decree is a law issued directly by a military government without legislative debate.

Step 3: Apply to the options

• A. Private bill: applies to specific persons or groups only. ❌
• B. Decree: issued by the military, with no bill process. ❌
• C. Appropriate bill: deals with government spending, not general welfare. ❌
• D. Public bill: applies to everyone and promotes the general good. ✅

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D, a public bill.

Exam tip: Match the keyword to the bill type. "Public" goes with the whole population, and "private" goes with specific individuals or groups. Also remember that a decree is a military-era law and never goes through the legislature as a bill.