Government General Objectives and Structure
GOVERNMENT GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Government is to prepare candidates for the Board’s examination.
The syllabus is designed to test knowledge in Government to determine suitability for placement in higher learning institutions in Nigeria.
Objectives of the Syllabus:
Appreciate the meaning of Government.
Analyze the framework and specify the institutions of Government.
Appreciate the basic principles of democratic governance and their application in Nigeria.
Explain the concept of citizenship and define the duties and obligations of a citizen.
Appreciate the process of political development in Nigeria.
Evaluate the political development and problems of governance in Nigeria.
Understand the determinants and dynamics of foreign policy as they relate to Nigeria.
Assess Nigeria’s role as a member of the international community and the workings of international organizations.
DETAILED SYLLABUS PART 1: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
1. Definition and Scope of Government
Candidates should be able to:
Define Government as an institution.
State the characteristics of Government.
Explain the functions of Government.
2. Basic Concepts of Government
Candidates should be able to:
Identify the fundamental concepts in governance.
Analyze various political processes.
Explain the relationship of the state to Government.
Key concepts include:
Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of people.
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
Authority: The legitimate power that an individual or group holds.
Legitimacy: The right and acceptance of authority; a government’s legitimacy is grounded in the belief that it has the right to govern.
Sovereignty: The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources.
Society: A community of individuals living together in organized communities.
State: A distinct political entity with defined territorial boundaries.
Nation: A group of people who share a common identity, including language, culture, and history.
Nation-State: A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, and a government.
Political Processes: Procedures through which political decisions are made.
Political Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and acquire political norms and behaviors.
Political Participation: Involvement in activities intended to influence public policy.
Political Culture: The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape the political behavior of a society.
3. Forms of Government
Candidates should be able to:
Distinguish between different forms of government.
Discuss the features of each of the forms of Government.
Forms of Government Include:
Monarchy: Rule by a king or queen, often hereditary; characteristics include presence of a royal family.
Aristocracy: Governance by a small privileged ruling class based on noble lineage.
Oligarchy: Power concentrated in the hands of a small group of people.
Autocracy: A system of government in which one person possesses unlimited power.
Republicanism: A form of government in which representatives are elected by the citizenry and responsible to them.
Democracy: A system of government where citizens exercise power directly or through elected representatives; features include free elections, majority rule, and equal protection under the law.
4. Arms of Government
Candidates should be able to:
Identify the duties and obligations of the various arms of government and their agencies.
Relate each arm to its functions and appreciate how these arms interrelate.
The Legislature:
Types: Bicameral (two chambers) and unicameral (one chamber).
Structure: Typically includes the upper and lower houses; functions include making laws, representing the electorate, power of the purse.
Functions: Legislation, budgeting, oversight of the executive, and representation of the citizenry.
The Executive:
Types: Presidential, parliamentary.
Functions: Implementation of laws, administration of government, international representation.
Powers: Vary depending on the constitution; can include veto power, appointment of officials.
The Judiciary:
Functions: Interpretation of laws, adjudication of disputes, protection of rights.
Components: Supreme Court, lower courts, specialized courts.
5. Structures of Governance
Candidates should be able to:
Compare the various political structures of governance.
Understand reasons for the adoption of any of these structures of governance.
Unitary:
Features: Centralized government.
Merits: Efficiency in decision-making.
Demerits: Less responsiveness to local needs.
Federal:
Features: Division of powers between central and regional governments.
Merits: Encourages regional autonomy and governance.
Demerits: Potential for conflicts between different levels of government.
Confederal:
Features: A union of sovereign states with weak central authority.
Merits: Preserves state power.
Demerits: Inefficiencies due to lack of strong central government.
6. Systems of Governance
Candidates should be able to:
Distinguish between the different systems of governance.
Analyze the features, merits, and demerits of each system of governance.
Presidential System:
Features: The president is both the head of state and the head of government.
Merits: Clear separation of powers.
Demerits: Potential for gridlock between the executive and legislative branches.
Parliamentary System:
Features: The executive derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is directly accountable to, the legislature.
Merits: More accountable and stable government.
Demerits: Potential for too much power in the hands of the majority party.
Monarchical System:
Features: The monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution.
Merits: Can represent national unity.
Demerits: Risk of hereditary succession undermining democratic values.
7. Political Ideologies
Candidates should be able to:
Differentiate between the major political ideologies.
Contrast their modes of production.
Ideologies Include:
Communalism: Emphasizes collective community ownership.
Feudalism: A mix of land ownership by lords and service provisions by vassals.
Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private ownership and free markets.
Socialism: Advocacy for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production.
Communism: Classless system where all property is publicly owned.
Totalitarianism: Centralized government that does not tolerate opposition.
Fascism: Far-right authoritarian ultranationalism.
Nazism: A form of fascism marked by dictatorial power and strong regimentation of society.
Liberalism: Emphasis on liberty and equality.
8. Constitution
Candidates should be able to:
Define and identify sources and functions of constitutions.
Compare the nature of constitutions.
Meaning: A constitution is the fundamental law of a state, establishing the framework and principles of governance.
Sources: Includes statutes, customs, treaties, judicial decisions.
Functions: Provides the legal foundation for government, protects rights, establishes structures.
Types:
Written: Codified document.
Unwritten: Comprised of statutes and customs.
Rigid: Hard to amend.
Flexible: Easy to amend.
9. Principles of Democratic Government
Candidates should be able to:
Identify the principles of democratic government.
Determine the application of these principles.
Key principles include:
Ethics and Accountability in Public Office: Importance of integrity among public servants.
Separation of Power: Distinction among branches of Government (executive, legislatives, judiciary) to limit power concentration.
Checks and Balances: Mechanisms to oversee and limit each branch's powers.
Individual and Collective Responsibility: Both individuals and groups should be accountable.
Constitutionalism: Adherence to the constitution as the supreme law.
Rule of Law: Everyone is subject to the law.
Representative Government: Elected officials represent the populace.
Centralization and Decentralization: Balancing authority between central and local governments.
10. Processes of Legislation
Candidates should be able to:
Analyze the processes involved in the making of laws.
Legislative Enactments:
Acts: Laws passed by the legislature.
Edicts: Laws enacted by military regimes.
Bye-laws: Local laws enacted by local government authorities.
Delegated Legislation: Legislation made by a person or body under powers given to them by an Act of parliament.
Decrees: Laws enacted without parliamentary approval, often in military contexts.
11. Citizenship
Candidates should be able to:
Differentiate between the various methods of acquiring citizenship.
Specify the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.
Assess the obligations of the state.
Meaning: Citizenship refers to the status of being a member of a state.
Types:
Birth: Citizenship by birth on the state territory.
Naturalization: Process by which a non-citizen can become a citizen.
Citizenship Rights Include: Right to vote, right to fair trial, freedom of expression.
Duties and Obligations of Citizens: Obeying laws, paying taxes, serving on juries.
Duties and Obligations of the State: Protection of citizens' rights, provision of welfare services, maintenance of law and order.
12. The Electoral Process
Candidates should be able to:
Identify and explain the types of electoral systems.
Analyze the various electoral processes.
Suffrage:
Evolution of voting rights over time.
Types of suffrage (universal, limited).
Election Types: General elections, local elections, primaries.
Ingredients of Free and Fair Elections: Transparency, secret ballot, impartial electoral commission.
Pre- and Post-Election Crisis: Political violence, disputes over results, electoral malpractices.
13. Political Parties and Party Systems
Candidates should be able to:
Assess the role of political parties.
Distinguish between types of party systems.
Political Parties:
Definition: Organized groups that seek to gain political power.
Organization includes leadership structures, membership.
Functions: Contesting elections, formulating policies, mobilizing voters.
Party Systems:
Definition: The system of how political parties operate within a political system.
Types include one-party, two-party, multi-party systems.
Merits and Demerits of different party systems.
14. Pressure Groups
Candidates should be able to:
Evaluate the functions and the modus operandi of pressure groups.
Distinguish between pressure groups and political parties.
Pressure Groups:
Definition: Organized groups that seek to influence government policy but do not seek power.
Types and functions include advocacy, lobbying, raising awareness.
Differences: Pressure groups do not contest elections, political parties do.
15. Public Opinion
Candidates should be able to:
Compare methods of assessing public opinion.
Assess the functions of public opinion.
Analyze the limitations of public opinion.
Meaning: Collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on certain issues.
Formation: Influenced by media, culture, personal experiences.
Functions: Guide political leaders, influence election outcomes, inform policy decisions.
Limitations: Can be swayed by misinformation, not always reflective of the views of the public.
16. The Civil Service/Public Service
Candidates should be able to:
Analyze the significance of civil service in governance.
Distinguish between the civil service and public service.
Civil Service:
Definition: Permanent professional branches of a government administration.
Characteristics: Career-oriented, politically neutral.
Functions: Implement government policy, provide public services.
Structure: Organized bureaucratically.
Problems include bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of resources.
Public Service:
Definition: The services provided by government to benefit the public.
Characteristics: Can include civil servants and other governmental roles.
Functions: Typically provide broad-based services to the community.
Problems may also include bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference.
PART II POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
1. Pre-Colonial Polities
Polities Included:
Pre-jihad Hausa/Fulani Emirate, Tiv, Igbo, Yoruba.
Structural Organization: Different political institutions with varying leadership structures.
2. Imperialists' Penetration
The British Process of Acquisition:
Trade, missionary activities, company rule, establishment of crown colonies and protectorates.
Colonial Administrative Policies:
British: Direct rule vs. Indirect rule.
French: Assimilation vs. Association.
Impact of British Colonial Rule: Economic, political, socio-cultural impacts on Nigerian society.
Comparison of British and French Colonial Administration: Differences in governance styles and administrative practices.
3. Process of Decolonization
Nationalism:
Meaning and types (civic, ethnic).
Nationalist Movements: Emergence, goals, strategies for independence.
Nationalist Leaders: Key figures include Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, among others.
Emergence of Nationalist Parties: Development of political parties advocating for independence.
Influence of External Factors: Impact of global events on Nigeria’s decolonization, including Pan-Africanism.
4. Constitutional Development in Nigeria
Constitutions Involved:
Hugh Clifford Constitution (1922).
Arthur Richards Constitution (1946).
John Macpherson Constitution (1951).
Oliver Lyttleton Constitution (1954).
Independence Constitution (1960).
Features, Merits and Demerits: Each constitution's effectiveness in achieving democratic governance assessed.
5. Post-Independence Constitutions
Constitutions of 1963, 1979, 1989, and 1999 (As Amended).
Characteristics and shortcomings of each document are evaluated.
6. Institutions of Government in Post-Independence Nigeria
Legislative: Structures, functions, and functioning; role in democracy.
Executive: Configuration, roles, functions in governance.
Judiciary: Role in maintaining rule of law and enforcing rights, structures, and functions.
7. Public Commissions Established by the 1979 and Subsequent Constitutions
Types of Commissions: Civil Service Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Electoral Commissions, National Boundary Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Objectives, Functions, and Problems: Evaluation of effectiveness and challenges faced by these commissions.
8. Political Parties and Party Politics in Post-Independence Nigeria
Party Evolution: Overview of development across Republics (First to Fourth).
Membership spread, structure, and ideologies of political parties in Nigeria assessed.
9. The Structure and Workings of Nigerian Federalism
Rationale for Federal System: Explanation as to why a federal system was adopted.
Tiers of Government and their Relationships: Structure and interaction of different levels of government.
Creation of States: Historical context of state creation (1963, 1967, 1976, 1987, 1991, 1996).
Problems of Nigerian Federalism: Issues such as census conflicts, revenue allocation, and proposed solutions like the Federal Character Principle.
10. Public Corporations and Parastatals
Definition: Entities set up by government to provide services.
Types, purpose, functions, finance, control, and associated problems discussed.
Deregulation, Privatization, and Commercialization: Objectives, features, merits, and demerits analyzed.
Comparison: Between public corporations and parastatals.
11. Local Government
Local Government Administration Prior to 1976: Overview and context.
Features of Local Government Reforms (1976, 1989): Structural changes, functions, finance, and inter-governmental relations.
Traditional Rulers and Local Governments: Role of traditional authorities in governance.
Problems: Challenges observed in local government administration.
12. The Military in Nigerian Politics
Factors Leading to Military Intervention: Reasons given for coups and military rule.
Structure of Military Regimes: How military governments are organized.
Impact of Military Rule: Political (e.g., state creation, NYSC), economic impacts (e.g., Structural Adjustment Program), and social changes.
Processes of Military Disengagement: Transition back to civilian governance.
PART III: FOREIGN POLICY AND NIGERIA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
1. Foreign Policy
Definition, purpose, determining factors; formulation and implementation of foreign policy.
2. Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
Relations with Major Powers: Diplomatic relations and trade partnerships evaluated.
Relations with Developing Countries: Engagement through Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Peace-Keeping Operations.
Nigeria’s Non-Alignment Policy: Stance during the Cold War and implications for international relations.
3. Nigeria’s Relations with African Countries
Centerpiece of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Guiding principles and implications of Nigerian support for African nations.
NEPAD: Origin, objectives, and implications analyzed.
4. Nigeria in International Organizations
Bodies such as:
The United Nations (UN)
The Commonwealth
The Organization of African Unity (OAU)
The African Union (AU)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Contributions of Nigeria and its challenges within these organizations assessed.
PART IV: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1. International Organizations
Evaluate the operations of these international organizations and their contributions to global governance.
Challenges faced by these organizations and propositions for their improvement are explored, with particular focus on:
ECOWAS
OAU, AU
Commonwealth
OPEC
UNO
African Petroleum Producers Association
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Christopher, O. (2022). Fundamental of Government - A Complete Guide for Schools and Colleges. Markins (Ugo) International Company Press, Delta State, Nigeria.
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