In a federal system of government, legislative items constitutionally reserved for only the central government fall under the _________ list.

Analyze the question: The question asks what the list is called when it contains legislative items reserved only for the central (federal) government in a federal system.

Explain the concept: In a federal system, powers are shared between the central government and the component units (states or regions). The Nigerian Constitution divides legislative powers into lists:

• Exclusive list: Matters only the federal government can legislate on, such as defence, foreign affairs, currency, immigration, and customs.
• Concurrent list: Matters both federal and state governments can legislate on, such as health, education, and agriculture.
• Residual list: Matters not mentioned in the constitution. These are left to the states (as in the USA), though in Nigeria the 1999 Constitution does not provide a formal residual list.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The question says items are reserved "for only the central government."
2. "Only" means no sharing, so the concurrent list (A) is out because it is shared.
3. The residual list (C) covers powers left to the component units, not the centre.
4. "Executive" (B) is not a legislative list. It refers to a branch of government.
5. The list reserved solely for the central government is the exclusive list.

Correct answer: D. exclusive

Exam tip: Link the word to its meaning. Exclusive means "exclusively for the centre," concurrent means "running together" (shared), and residual means "remaining" (left over for the states). If a question says "only" or "solely" about the federal government, think exclusive.