2026/2027 NECO Nigerian History Questions and Answers (Objective and Essay)

2026/2027 NECO Nigerian History Questions and Answers (Objective and Essay)

Paper I

Objective Test

This is an original NECO-style mock examination prepared for revision purposes. It is based on the Nigerian History syllabus and is intended to help candidates prepare effectively for school and external examinations.

Instructions to Candidates

• Answer all questions.
• Choose the correct answer from options A–D.
• Each question carries one mark.
• Write only the letter corresponding to the correct option.

1.

Archaeological discoveries have shown that one of the earliest known civilizations in present-day Nigeria was the

A. Benin Civilization

B. Nok Civilization

C. Kanem Civilization

D. Oyo Empire

2.

The Nok people are famous for producing

A. Bronze sculptures

B. Terracotta sculptures

C. Stone carvings

D. Wooden masks

3.

One important significance of the Nok Civilization is that it

A. Introduced Islam into Nigeria

B. Demonstrated early iron-smelting technology

C. Established British rule

D. Built the first university in West Africa

4.

The Kanem-Bornu Empire became prosperous mainly because of

A. Cocoa farming

B. Trans-Saharan trade

C. Palm oil export

D. Fishing

5.

The capital of the old Kanem-Bornu Empire was

A. Kano

B. Ngazargamu

C. Ife

D. Sokoto

6.

The Hausa States were well known for their

A. Maritime trade

B. Long-distance commercial activities

C. Petroleum production

D. Rubber plantations

2026 NECO Nigerian History Objective & Essay Questions and Answers

7.

The seven original Hausa States are collectively known as

A. Egbe Meje

B. Hausa Bakwai

C. Oyo Mesi

D. Arewa Bakwai

8.

Which of the following was NOT one of the original Hausa States?

A. Kano

B. Katsina

C. Benin

D. Zaria

9.

The ancient city of Ife is regarded by the Yoruba as

A. The centre of iron production

B. The ancestral home of the Yoruba people

C. The headquarters of the Sokoto Caliphate

D. The capital of the Benin Kingdom

10.

The founder traditionally associated with Ile-Ife is

A. Oduduwa

B. Sango

C. Alaafin Ajaka

D. Oranmiyan

11.

The Oyo Empire became powerful mainly because of its

A. Strong naval force

B. Effective cavalry

C. Petroleum resources

D. Gold mines

12.

The head of the Oyo Empire was known as the

A. Obi

B. Emir

C. Alaafin

D. Obong

13.

The Oyo Mesi served primarily as

A. Tax collectors

B. A council of chiefs that checked the powers of the Alaafin

C. Military commanders only

D. Religious leaders

14.

The Benin Kingdom became internationally famous because of its

A. Bronze casting

B. Textile industry

C. Coal mining

D. Salt production

15.

The supreme ruler of the Benin Kingdom was called the

A. Emir

B. Oba

C. Obi

D. Attah

16.

Traditional Igbo political organization was mainly characterized by

A. Absolute monarchy

B. Centralized government

C. Republican and decentralized administration

D. Military dictatorship

17.

One important feature of pre-colonial Nigerian societies was

A. Complete absence of trade

B. Existence of organized political institutions

C. Lack of agriculture

D. Absence of cultural diversity

18.

The main occupation of many riverine communities in pre-colonial Nigeria was

A. Mining

B. Fishing

C. Textile weaving

D. Gold extraction

19.

One major effect of early trade among Nigerian communities was

A. The spread of culture and technology

B. The abolition of kingdoms

C. The end of agriculture

D. The disappearance of local industries

20.

History is important because it helps people to

A. Ignore past experiences

B. Understand past events and their influence on the present

C. Eliminate cultural traditions

D. Prevent technological development

21.

The jihad that transformed much of Northern Nigeria in the early nineteenth century was led by

A. Queen Amina

B. Jaja of Opobo

C. Usman dan Fodio

D. Nana Olomu

22.

One major cause of the Sokoto Jihad was

A. The discovery of crude oil

B. Dissatisfaction with the moral and religious practices of many Hausa rulers

C. The abolition of the slave trade

D. European colonization

23.

The Sokoto Jihad resulted in the establishment of the

A. Oyo Empire

B. Sokoto Caliphate

C. Benin Kingdom

D. Niger Protectorate

24.

The first Europeans to arrive on the Nigerian coast in large numbers were mainly

A. Germans

B. Portuguese

C. Americans

D. Russians

25.

The Portuguese first established contact with the Kingdom of Benin mainly for the purpose of

A. Agricultural research

B. Trade

C. Tourism

D. Oil exploration

26.

One commodity that became important during legitimate commerce was

A. Palm oil

B. Crude oil

C. Uranium

D. Cotton textiles

27.

Legitimate commerce developed mainly to replace the

A. Gold trade

B. Trans-Atlantic slave trade

C. Internal trade

D. Salt trade

28.

The abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade by Britain officially took place in

A. 1492

B. 1807

C. 1914

D. 1960

29.

Christian missionaries contributed to Nigerian society by

A. Introducing formal Western education

B. Ending agriculture

C. Discouraging literacy

D. Preventing road construction

2026 NECO Nigerian History Objective & Essay Questions and Answers

30.

One of the earliest Christian missionary organizations active in Nigeria was the

A. United Nations

B. Church Missionary Society (CMS)

C. African Union

D. ECOWAS

31.

Indirect Rule in Northern Nigeria was successfully implemented mainly because

A. Traditional political institutions already existed

B. There were no traditional rulers

C. The people rejected local chiefs

D. There were no emirates

32.

The Governor-General most closely associated with the policy of Indirect Rule was

A. Hugh Clifford

B. Frederick Lugard

C. James Robertson

D. Arthur Richards

33.

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates took place in

A. 1900

B. 1914

C. 1922

D. 1960

34.

The primary objective of the amalgamation was to

A. Promote sporting activities

B. Improve administrative efficiency and financial management

C. Increase cocoa production

D. Establish a republic

35.

The first elective principle in Nigeria was introduced by the

A. Richards Constitution

B. Clifford Constitution

C. Lyttleton Constitution

D. Macpherson Constitution

36.

The Clifford Constitution came into effect in

A. 1922

B. 1946

C. 1951

D. 1954

37.

The Richards Constitution of 1946 aimed mainly to

A. Unite Nigeria administratively while recognizing regional diversity

B. Abolish traditional institutions

C. Introduce military rule

D. End political parties

38.

The Macpherson Constitution became significant because it

A. Was drafted after wide consultations with Nigerians

B. Introduced military government

C. Ended regional governments

D. Abolished elections

39.

The Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 established

A. A federal system of government

B. A military government

C. Absolute monarchy

D. One-party rule

40.

One important effect of constitutional development in Nigeria was that it

A. Prepared the country for self-government and independence

B. Prevented political participation

C. Ended nationalist movements

D. Abolished regional administration

41.

One of the major objectives of the early Nigerian nationalists was to

A. Establish military rule

B. Secure self-government and political independence

C. Abolish formal education

D. End agricultural production

42.

Which of the following organizations played an important role in the growth of Nigerian nationalism?

A. National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

B. United Nations

C. Commonwealth Games Federation

D. Red Cross Society

43.

The political party founded by Herbert Macaulay in 1923 was the

A. National Democratic Party (NNDP)

B. Action Group (AG)

C. Northern People’s Congress (NPC)

D. Social Democratic Party (SDP)

44.

The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) was associated with

A. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay

B. Ahmadu Bello only

C. Obafemi Awolowo only

D. Tafawa Balewa only

45.

The Action Group (AG) was founded mainly under the leadership of

A. Herbert Macaulay

B. Obafemi Awolowo

C. Nnamdi Azikiwe

D. Ahmadu Bello

2026 NECO Nigerian History Objective & Essay Questions and Answers

46.

The Northern People’s Congress (NPC) became the dominant political party in

A. Western Nigeria

B. Eastern Nigeria

C. Northern Nigeria

D. Mid-Western Nigeria

47.

Nigeria attained political independence on

A. 1 October 1960

B. 29 May 1999

C. 1 January 1963

D. 15 January 1966

48.

Nigeria became a republic in

A. 1957

B. 1960

C. 1963

D. 1966

49.

The first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was

A. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

B. Nnamdi Azikiwe

C. Obafemi Awolowo

D. Yakubu Gowon

50.

The first Prime Minister of independent Nigeria was

A. Nnamdi Azikiwe

B. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

C. Ahmadu Bello

D. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

51.

The First Republic came to an end following the

A. 1960 Independence celebrations

B. Military coup of January 1966

C. Civil War

D. Return to civilian rule in 1979

52.

The Nigerian Civil War lasted from

A. 1960–1963

B. 1963–1965

C. 1967–1970

D. 1975–1979

53.

One major consequence of the Nigerian Civil War was

A. Increased regional conflict with neighbouring countries

B. The adoption of programmes aimed at national reconciliation and reconstruction

C. The abolition of the Nigerian Armed Forces

D. The end of federalism

54.

The policy popularly summarized as “Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction” was introduced after the Civil War to

A. Promote national unity and rebuild the country

B. Abolish the Constitution

C. End formal education

D. Dissolve the armed forces

55.

The transfer of political authority from military rule to an elected civilian government in 1979 marked the beginning of the

A. First Republic

B. Second Republic

C. Third Republic

D. Fourth Republic

56.

Nigeria returned to democratic civilian rule on

A. 1 October 1960

B. 1 October 1979

C. 29 May 1999

D. 12 June 1993

57.

Nigeria is a founding member of the

A. African Union only

B. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

C. European Union

D. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

58.

One major objective of ECOWAS is to

A. Promote economic cooperation and regional integration among West African states

B. Conduct elections in Europe

C. Establish a single African monarchy

D. Replace the United Nations

59.

Nigeria has contributed significantly to peacekeeping operations through organizations such as

A. ECOWAS and the United Nations

B. FIFA and CAF

C. OPEC and WTO only

D. UNESCO only

60.

The study of Nigerian History is important because it helps citizens to

A. Appreciate the nation’s past, understand present developments, and contribute responsibly to its future

B. Ignore cultural diversity

C. Eliminate historical records

D. Replace civic education

2026 NECO Nigerian History Objective & Essay Questions and Answers

Paper I – Answer Key with Brief Explanations

The following answers are for the mock examination and are intended to support revision.

No.	Answer	Brief Explanation
1	B	The Nok Civilization is the earliest well-known archaeological culture in Nigeria.
2	B	Nok people are famous for their terracotta sculptures.
3	B	Nok civilization provides evidence of early iron-smelting technology.
4	B	Kanem-Bornu prospered through the Trans-Saharan trade.
5	B	Ngazargamu became an important capital of the Kanem-Bornu Empire.
6	B	The Hausa States developed extensive long-distance trade.
7	B	The original seven Hausa kingdoms were known as the Hausa Bakwai.
8	C	Benin was a separate kingdom, not one of the Hausa States.
9	B	Ile-Ife is traditionally regarded as the ancestral home of the Yoruba.
10	A	Yoruba tradition associates the founding of Ile-Ife with Oduduwa.
11	B	Oyo’s cavalry gave it military superiority.
12	C	The ruler of Oyo was known as the Alaafin.
13	B	The Oyo Mesi acted as a constitutional check on the Alaafin.
14	A	Benin became internationally known for its bronze artworks.
15	B	The ruler of Benin is called the Oba.
16	C	Traditional Igbo society was largely decentralized and republican.
17	B	Pre-colonial societies had organized political institutions.
18	B	Fishing was a major occupation in riverine communities.
19	A	Trade encouraged cultural exchange and technological development.
20	B	History helps explain how the past influences the present.
21	C	The Sokoto Jihad was led by Usman dan Fodio.
22	B	Religious and political reforms motivated the jihad.
23	B	The jihad led to the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate.
24	B	The Portuguese were the earliest Europeans to establish sustained contact.
25	B	Their initial relationship with Benin centred on trade.
26	A	Palm oil became a major export during legitimate commerce.
27	B	Legitimate commerce replaced the declining slave trade.
28	B	Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807.
29	A	Missionaries introduced Western education and literacy.
30	B	The Church Missionary Society (CMS) played a leading missionary role.
31	A	Existing emirate institutions supported indirect rule.
32	B	Frederick Lugard popularized indirect rule in Nigeria.
33	B	The Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated in 1914.
34	B	Amalgamation aimed to improve administration and finance.
35	B	The Clifford Constitution introduced the elective principle.
36	A	The Clifford Constitution came into force in 1922.
37	A	The Richards Constitution recognized Nigeria’s regional diversity.
38	A	The Macpherson Constitution followed broad consultations.
39	A	The Lyttleton Constitution strengthened federalism.
40	A	Constitutional reforms prepared Nigeria for independence.
41	B	Nationalists demanded self-government and independence.
42	A	The NCNC was a leading nationalist organization.
43	A	Herbert Macaulay founded the NNDP in 1923.
44	A	The NCNC was closely associated with Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe.
45	B	Obafemi Awolowo led the Action Group.
46	C	The NPC dominated politics in Northern Nigeria.
47	A	Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960.
48	C	Nigeria became a republic in 1963.
49	B	Nnamdi Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first President.
50	B	Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first Prime Minister.
51	B	The First Republic ended with the January 1966 military coup.
52	C	The Nigerian Civil War lasted from 1967 to 1970.
53	B	Post-war policies emphasized national reconciliation and rebuilding.
54	A	The post-war programme focused on reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
55	B	Civilian rule returned in 1979 with the Second Republic.
56	C	Democratic rule was restored on 29 May 1999.
57	B	Nigeria is a founding member of ECOWAS.
58	A	ECOWAS promotes regional economic integration.
59	A	Nigeria has participated in ECOWAS and UN peacekeeping operations.
60	A	Studying history promotes informed citizenship and national development.

2026 NECO Nigerian History Objective & Essay Questions and Answers

Paper II

Essay Questions

Instructions

• Answer Four (4) questions only.
• All questions carry equal marks.
• Support your answers with relevant historical facts and examples.

Question 1

Discuss the origin, achievements, and contributions of the Nok Civilization to the history of Nigeria.

Question 2

Examine the political organization of the Oyo Empire and explain the factors responsible for its rise and eventual decline.

Question 3

Describe the causes, major events, and effects of the Sokoto Jihad of the nineteenth century.

Question 4

Assess the impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on the political, economic, and social development of Nigerian societies.

Question 5

Explain the system of Indirect Rule in Nigeria. Discuss its successes and limitations in different parts of the country.

Question 6

Trace the constitutional development of Nigeria from the Clifford Constitution of 1922 to independence in 1960.

Question 7

Discuss the growth of Nigerian nationalism and evaluate the contributions of nationalist leaders to the attainment of independence.

Question 8

Examine the causes, major events, and consequences of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970).