The Nigeria Railway Corporation is an example of

1. Analyze the question The question asks what type of organization the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is. This is about public corporations (parastatals) in Nigeria's government and public administration.

2. Explain the concept A public corporation (also called a statutory corporation or state-owned enterprise) is a body set up by an Act of the National Assembly (or a law of a state assembly) and owned and funded by government. It provides essential services, and it is usually run by a board.

These are often classified by who owns and establishes them:

• Federal (national) corporations: owned by the Federal Government, e.g. NRC, NNPC, NPA, FRCN.
• State corporations: owned by a state government, e.g. a State Water Board or State Transport Corporation.
• Private corporations: owned by individuals or companies for profit.
• Local corporations: owned by local governments.

3. Solution

• NRC was established by an Act of the federal legislature and is owned by the Federal Government. It is therefore a public corporation, not a private one (eliminates B).
• It is not owned by a local government (eliminates C).
• Regional corporations belonged to the First Republic, when the regions (Northern, Western, Eastern) set up bodies such as marketing boards. NRC is not one of these (eliminates D).
• This leaves A, "state corporation", which here is the closest option. In this question "state" is being used in the sense of government-owned (a state-owned or public corporation), not strictly a corporation of one of the 36 states.

Note on the wording: Strictly speaking, NRC is a federal government corporation, and "federal corporation" is not among the options. Of the choices given, A is the best fit because it means a government-owned public enterprise.

4. Answer A. state corporation

5. Exam tip Remember the rule: "Government-owned and set up by law = public corporation." If the options do not include "federal" or "public," pick the option that shows government ownership, and eliminate "private," "local," and outdated "regional" options. Examples to remember: NRC, NNPC, NEPA/PHCN, NPA, which are all government-owned.