The type of government operated in Nigeria between October 1st 1979 to December 3 1983 is called a __________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the system of government Nigeria used from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983 (the Second Republic). The question says "December 3 1983", which is likely a typo for December 31, 1983, the date of the Buhari coup.

Step 2: Recall the concept

• October 1, 1979: Alhaji Shehu Shagari was sworn in as the first executive President after General Olusegun Obasanjo's military government handed over power.
• The 1979 Constitution abandoned the British-style Westminster model used in the First Republic (1960-1966).
• Nigeria adopted the American-style presidential system. The President was both Head of State and Head of Government, and there was a separation of powers between the Executive, Legislature (National Assembly: Senate and House of Representatives) and Judiciary.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• A. Collegial system: Here the executive is shared by a group, as in Switzerland. Nigeria did not use this. ❌
• B. Presidential system: Correct, since Shagari was an executive President. ✅
• C. Unitary system: This describes the distribution of power between central and regional governments. Nigeria was a federation then, so this is wrong. ❌
• D. Parliamentary system: This was used in the First Republic (1960-66), with Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. ❌

Step 4: Answer The type of government was the Presidential system of government, which is option B.

Exam Tip: Link each republic to its system:

• First Republic (1960-66): Parliamentary (Prime Minister)
• Second Republic (1979-83): Presidential (President Shagari)
• Third Republic: Never took off (the 1993 election was annulled)
• Fourth Republic (1999-date): Presidential

Also remember that "presidential" describes the executive arrangement, while "unitary" and "federal" describe how power is divided between levels of government. Don't mix them up in JAMB questions.