Unitary system of government is best applicable to a/an

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which kind of state a unitary system of government suits best.

Step 2: Explain the concept A unitary system concentrates all governmental power in one central government. Any regional or local governments exist only because the centre created them, and it can change or abolish them. Examples are the United Kingdom (broadly), France and Ghana.

This system works best where the people are fairly uniform in language, culture, religion and history. There are no strong regional or ethnic differences demanding autonomy, so one central authority can govern everybody without friction.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Multi-party state: This describes the party system, not the structure of government. A unitary state can have one party or many.
• B. Homogeneous state: The population shares a common culture, language and identity. A strong central government suits this well. ✔
• C. Heterogeneous state: A diverse population, as in Nigeria, usually needs power shared between levels of government. This favours federalism, which is why Nigeria adopted it.
• D. Unicameral state: This describes a legislature with one chamber. It concerns how the legislature is organised, not how power is distributed between central and regional governments.

Step 4: Answer The unitary system is best applicable to a homogeneous state, which is option B.

Step 5: Exam tip Remember the pairing:

• Unitary → Homogeneous (the "U" and "H" both suggest unity and sameness)
• Federal → Heterogeneous (diversity needs power-sharing)

Whenever JAMB asks which system suits a diverse society, think federalism. When it asks about a uniform society, think unitary.