The 1963 constitution created a list of powers exclusively reserved for the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which level of government the 1963 (Republican) Constitution gave an exclusive list of powers to.

Step 2: Explain the concept Nigerian constitutions used a system of legislative lists in a federal arrangement:

• Exclusive Legislative List: matters only the central (federal) government can legislate on, such as defence, foreign affairs, currency, citizenship, and external trade.
• Concurrent Legislative List: matters both the federal and regional governments can legislate on, such as education and health.
• Residual List: matters left to the regions.

Step 3: Apply to 1963 The 1963 Constitution made Nigeria a Republic, with the President as ceremonial head of state, and kept the federal structure of the 1960 Independence Constitution, with a federal government and four regions (Northern, Eastern, Western, and Mid-Western). It contained:

• An Exclusive Legislative List for the federal government
• A Concurrent List shared with the regions
• Residual powers left to the regions

So the "exclusive list" belonged to the federal government. The regions only had the residual powers, which are not usually called an "exclusive list".

Step 4: Eliminate wrong options

• B and C: The regions (states were not yet created in 1963) shared the concurrent list and held residual powers. They did not have an exclusive list.
• D: Local governments were under regional control and had no constitutionally exclusive list.

Answer: A. Federal government

Exam tip: "Exclusive" goes with "Federal" and "Residual" goes with "Regions/States". Remember: Exclusive = Everybody's central government (the centre).