In a parliamentary system, the head of government is usually the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks who is the head of government in a parliamentary system. Note the difference between two roles:

• Head of state: the ceremonial or symbolic leader of the country.
• Head of government: the person who runs the day-to-day affairs of government and leads the executive.

Step 2: Explain the concept In a parliamentary system (for example the United Kingdom, Canada, or Nigeria's First Republic of 1960-1966):

• The executive is drawn from the legislature (Parliament).
• The party or coalition with a majority in Parliament forms the government.
• The leader of that majority becomes the Prime Minister, who heads the government and leads the cabinet.
• The head of state is often a monarch (King or Queen) or a largely ceremonial President. In Nigeria's First Republic, Nnamdi Azikiwe was the ceremonial President, while Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister and head of government.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Chief Justice: heads the judiciary, not the government.
• B. King or Queen: usually the head of state in a constitutional monarchy, with mainly ceremonial duties.
• C. President: in a presidential system the President is both head of state and head of government. In a parliamentary system, a President, where one exists, is usually ceremonial.
• D. Prime Minister: leads the cabinet and runs the government. This is correct.

Step 4: Answer The head of government in a parliamentary system is usually the Prime Minister, which is option D.

Exam tip: Remember "Parliamentary = Prime Minister" (both start with P-M-like pairing: Parliament, Prime). Also, always ask yourself whether the question wants the head of state or the head of government. Examiners love to test that difference.