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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Waec History Exam (2025/2026): Full List Of Highly Repeated Topics & Past Questions
WAEC History is a scoring subject if you know how to prepare smart. Many students fear it because of dates and names — but WAEC History questions are highly predictable, and many topics are repeated almost every year.
To pass WAEC History in one sitting, focus on frequently tested areas like pre-colonial empires, colonial administration, and post-independence Nigeria.
Most Repeated Topics in WAEC History (2025/2026)
Here’s a breakdown of the top topics that WAEC repeats almost every year:
| Topic | Why It Repeats |
|---|---|
| Origins and Migrations of Nigerian Peoples | Always appears in early questions |
| Pre-Colonial African Kingdoms & Empires (Oyo, Mali, etc.) | Common in both objective and theory |
| Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade | Compulsory in many WAEC papers |
| Christian & Islamic Missions in West Africa | Repeated in both paper 1 and paper 2 |
| Colonial Administration (Direct/Indirect Rule) | Highly repeated and tested often |
| Nationalist Movements in Nigeria | Very common in essay section |
| Nigerian Independence (1957–1960) | WAEC favorite — tested every few years |
| Military Rule in Nigeria | Popular in modern history questions |
| Problems of Nation-Building Post-Independence | Frequently repeated |
| Formation of OAU and ECOWAS | Repeated under African unity topics |
| Apartheid in South Africa | Always comes up in contemporary African history |
| Pan-Africanism | A recurring concept in modern Africa |
| The Berlin Conference & Scramble for Africa | Appears in every other year |
| Notable African Heroes (Nkrumah, Azikiwe, Awolowo, etc.) | Commonly tested |
Sample WAEC History Past Questions (with Answers)
1. Pre-Colonial African Kingdoms
Question: Describe the political structure of the Oyo Empire.
(WAEC June 2022)
Answer:
The Oyo Empire was a centralized monarchy with an Alaafin (king) as head, supported by the Oyo Mesi (council of chiefs) and the Ogboni cult, which maintained spiritual balance.
2. Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Question: State two effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on West Africa.
(WAEC June 2021)
Answer:
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Depopulation of young and able-bodied people
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Destruction of local economies and cultures
3. Indirect Rule
Question: Mention two reasons why indirect rule succeeded in Northern Nigeria.
(WAEC June 2023)
Answer:
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Existence of a strong traditional system
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Islamic religion promoted obedience and order
4. Nationalism in Nigeria
Question: State three roles of Herbert Macaulay in Nigeria’s nationalist movement.
(WAEC June 2020)
Answer:
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Founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)
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Advocated for African rights in Lagos
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Criticized colonial policies through newspapers
5. OAU and ECOWAS
Question: State two objectives of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
(WAEC June 2024)
Answer:
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Promote African unity and solidarity
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Eradicate all forms of colonialism and apartheid
WAEC History Exam Format
| Paper | Type | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Objective (OBJ) | 50 multiple-choice questions (1 hour) |
| Paper 2 | Theory (Essay) | 5–6 structured essay questions; answer 4 |
WAEC History 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 Table Summary of Key Historical Periods
| Period | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Pre-Colonial Era | Empires (Oyo, Mali, Benin), Migrations |
| Colonial Era | British policies, indirect rule, missionaries |
| Nationalist Era | Macaulay, Azikiwe, NCNC, constitutional conferences |
| Post-Independence Nigeria | Military coups, civil war, democracy challenges |
| Contemporary Africa | OAU, ECOWAS, apartheid, Pan-Africanism |
Smart Study Tips for WAEC History
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Group Related Topics Together – Study pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial history separately.
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Use Timeline Charts – To remember important dates and events.
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Practice Essay Writing – Especially on indirect rule, nationalism, and African unity.
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Review Past Questions Weekly – Focus on topics repeated 2–3 times in 10 years.
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Create Flashcards – For historical figures and key events.
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Understand, Don’t Just Memorize – Know cause, event, and effect for every major topic.
WAEC History FAQs
Q: Does WAEC repeat History questions?
Yes. Many WAEC History questions are repeated or rephrased from previous years.
Q: Do I need to write dates in answers?
Dates help, but focus on clear explanations. Only add dates when you're sure.
Q: Is History difficult in WAEC?
No, it’s one of the easiest subjects to score A1 — if you study smart.
Q: How many questions should I answer in Paper 2?
You’ll usually answer 4 out of 6 essay questions in Paper 2.
Final Thoughts
WAEC History is a golden opportunity to secure an A1, especially if you love storytelling and African history. Don’t overthink it. Just focus on the most repeated questions and write your answers clearly.
History rewards those who connect the dots between the past and the present. Study smart, and you'll pass easily.
