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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Waec Government Exam (2025/2026): Full List Of Highly Repeated Topics & Past Questions
WAEC Government is one of the core subjects for art and social science students, and it's one of the easiest to pass — if you focus on the right topics.
WAEC tends to repeat questions from certain Government topics every year. So if you're preparing for the 2025/2026 WAEC exams, the smartest thing you can do is study the most frequently asked topics and practice real past questions.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
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Most repeated topics in WAEC Government
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Actual WAEC past questions
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Exam format and grading
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Smart tips to pass Government in one sitting
Most Repeated Topics in WAEC Government (2025/2026)
| Topic | Why It Repeats |
|---|---|
| Definition and Functions of Government | Basic question – always tested |
| Forms and Systems of Government (unitary, federal) | Comes up almost every year |
| Separation of Powers | Fundamental concept – regularly repeated |
| Rule of Law & Fundamental Human Rights | Constant theory questions |
| Political Parties and Pressure Groups | Appears in both essay and objective |
| Organs of Government (Legislature, Executive) | WAEC favourite — theory and OBJ |
| Constitution and Constitutionalism | Regular in long-answer questions |
| Colonial Administration in Nigeria | Always repeated |
| Nationalism and Independence Movements | WAEC loves this section |
| Military Rule in Nigeria | Often asked in post-independence topics |
| Nigeria’s Constitutions (1922–1999) | Appears in both paper 1 and 2 |
| Intergovernmental Relations | Common with diagrams and comparisons |
| Political Crisis in Nigeria (1960s–1980s) | Frequently asked |
| Public Corporations and Civil Service | Constantly repeated |
| International Organizations (UN, AU, ECOWAS) | Often in last sections of theory |
Sample WAEC Government Past Questions (with Answers)
1. Definition of Government
Question: Define government and list two major functions.
(WAEC June 2023)
Answer:
Government is the machinery or institution through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed, and realized.
Functions:
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Maintenance of law and order
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Protection of life and property
2. Separation of Powers
Question: Explain the principle of separation of powers.
(WAEC June 2021)
Answer:
It is the division of government powers among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary to prevent abuse of power.
3. Types of Government
Question: Differentiate between a unitary and a federal system of government.
(WAEC June 2020)
Answer:
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Unitary: Central government holds all powers (e.g., UK)
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Federal: Powers shared between central and regional governments (e.g., Nigeria)
4. Military Rule
Question: State three characteristics of military rule.
(WAEC June 2024)
Answer:
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Absence of constitution
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Rule by decrees and edicts
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Suspension of democratic institutions
5. Political Parties
Question: List two functions of political parties.
(WAEC June 2022)
Answer:
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Mobilize citizens for elections
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Serve as a bridge between government and the people
WAEC Government Exam Format
| Paper | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Objective (OBJ) | 50 multiple-choice questions |
| Paper 2 | Essay/Theory | 5 structured theory questions (choose 4) |
WAEC Government Grading System
| Grade | Score Range (%) | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 75 – 100 | Excellent |
| B2 | 70 – 74 | Very Good |
| B3 | 65 – 69 | Good |
| C4 – C6 | 50 – 64 | Credit |
| D7 – E8 | 40 – 49 | Pass |
| F9 | Below 40 | Fail |
Quick Revision Table: Key Differences in Government
| Unitary vs Federal System | Military vs Civil Rule | Political Party vs Pressure Group |
|---|---|---|
| One central authority | Military seizes power by force | Parties contest elections |
| No constitutional division | Rule by decrees | Pressure groups influence policy |
| Uniform laws | Suspension of civil liberties | Do not aim to take power |
Tips to Score A1 in WAEC Government
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Study with Past Questions – WAEC repeats questions yearly.
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Understand Concepts, Don’t Cram – E.g., know the features of democracy, not just the definition.
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Use Flashcards or Summary Notes – For easy memorization of key dates and events.
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Practice Objectives Every Day – Paper 1 can make or break your score.
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Pay Attention to Nigeria’s Political History – Especially military rule, constitutions, and elections.
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Join a Study Group – Teaching others helps you retain better.
WAEC Government FAQs
Q: Does WAEC repeat Government questions?
Yes! Many questions are either repeated or rephrased every few years.
Q: What is the hardest part of WAEC Government?
Students often struggle with dates, political crises, and differences between concepts (e.g., federalism vs confederation).
Q: Can I score A1 in Government by studying only past questions?
Past questions help a lot, but combine them with reading notes and summaries for deeper understanding.
Q: Are diagrams or tables needed?
Yes. Tables help when comparing systems, and flowcharts can simplify complex topics.
Final Thoughts
WAEC Government is a scoring subject. You don’t need to know everything — just focus on the top 15 repeated topics, write clearly, and back your answers with good examples.
Don’t memorize blindly. Understand what each topic means and why it matters — that’s how you pass Government easily.
