NIGERIA EXAM

What type of political regime does Nigeria have?

A federal presidential democracy with regular elections since 1999.

What are two major political parties in Nigeria?

All Progressives Congress (APC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP).

What is the 'federal character principle'?

A constitutional mandate for equitable representation of Nigeria's diverse groups in public offices.

Name one event that showed peaceful democratic transition in Nigeria.

The 2015 presidential election when power shifted from PDP to APC.

What are two major challenges to Nigeria’s democratic legitimacy?

Corruption and security threats like Boko Haram and banditry.

What are the main roles of the Nigerian President?

Head of state and government, commander-in-chief, cabinet appointments, policy leadership.

How is Nigeria’s legislature structured?

Bicameral: Senate (109 seats) and House of Representatives (360 seats).

What limits the Nigerian judiciary's independence?

Political influence, underfunding, and overlapping legal systems (secular, Sharia, customary).

What is 'zoning' in Nigerian politics?

Informal practice of rotating the presidency between the North and South.

What powers does the National Assembly have?

Lawmaking, budget approval, executive oversight, and impeachment authority.

What role did civil society play in Nigeria's democratization?

It mobilized protests and opposition, especially during military rule in the 1990s.

What is the dominant political identity in Nigeria?

Ethnic and regional identity over national identity.

What informal political participation has been significant in Nigeria?

Protests, such as the 2020 #EndSARS movement against police brutality.

What barriers limit formal participation in Nigeria?

Poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, and vote-buying.

How is political socialization shaped in Nigeria?

Through family, religion, ethnicity, education, and regional influences.

What kind of electoral system does Nigeria use for presidential elections?

Direct election requiring a plurality and 25% of votes in at least 2/3 of states.

How are National Assembly members elected?

First-past-the-post in single-member districts (Senate: 3 per state, House: population-based).

What is the role of INEC?

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission manages elections and works to reduce fraud.

Give an example of a civil society movement in Nigeria.

EndSARS (2020), a youth-led protest against police brutality.

What are some challenges to Nigeria’s electoral process?

Vote buying, violence, logistical failures, and disputed results.

What is Nigeria’s major export and revenue source?

Oil — over 90% of exports and 70% of government revenue.

What is the 'resource curse' in Nigeria’s context?

Oil wealth leading to corruption, conflict, and economic instability.

Name one major economic reform in Nigeria.

The Structural Adjustment Program (1986) or fuel subsidy reductions.

How does globalization affect Nigeria’s politics?

Through foreign investment, corruption networks, migration, and ECOWAS membership.

What is the political significance of Nigeria’s youth bulge?

High youth unemployment fuels protests and political pressure; can lead to instability or reform.