Which of the following was not established by the 1979 Nigerian constitution?

Analyze the question: We need the body that the 1979 Constitution did not create. The 1979 Constitution (Second Republic) set up several federal executive bodies in its provisions (Chapter VI, Part I).

Concept: The 1979 Constitution established the following bodies, among others:

• Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO)
• National Population Commission
• Police Service Commission
• Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal
• Federal Character Commission
• Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission
• Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, and others

Checking each option:

• A. Police Service Commission: Established by the 1979 Constitution. ✔
• B. National Universities Commission: This was set up by an Act/decree, not by the Constitution. It began as an advisory agency in the Federal Ministry of Education in 1962 and became a statutory body in 1974 through a decree. It was therefore not created by the 1979 Constitution. ✘
• C. Federal Electoral Commission: Established by the 1979 Constitution (FEDECO conducted the 1979 and 1983 elections). ✔
• D. National Population Commission: Established by the 1979 Constitution. ✔

Answer: The National Universities Commission was not established by the 1979 Constitution, so the answer is B.

Exam tip: Remember that constitutional bodies handle core governance matters like elections, population, police, and civil service. Sector-specific agencies such as NUC, JAMB, and NBC usually come from separate Acts or decrees. For "which was not established by the constitution" questions, look for the agency in education or other specialized sectors.