Nigerian Peoples and Culture — 2025B Past Questions

University of Ilorin GST112: 78 questions.

Topics: Nigerian history, culture, and art up to 1800, Evolution of Nigeria as a political unit, Nigeria under colonial rule, Nigeria and challenges of nation-building, Current socio-political and cultural developments in Nigeria, Re-orientation, moral, and national values, Concepts of trade and economics of self-reliance, Social justice and national development

1. Which of the following nationalists contributed to the creation of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)?
   1. Herbert Macaulay
   2. Ernest Ikoli
   3. Nnamdi Azikiwe
   4. Sir Tafawa Balewa
2. Jam'iyyar Mutanen Arewa was formed in which year?
   1. 1945
   2. 1940
   3. 1951
   4. 1949
3. Which culture is known for the practice of bronze and brass sculpture?
   1. Yoruba
   2. Benin
   3. Igbo
   4. Hausa
4. The first phase of the amalgamation of Nigerian territories took place in which year?
   1. 1700
   2. 1800
   3. 1900
   4. 1914
5. The Hausa people are traditionally most recognized for which occupation?
   1. Hunting
   2. Farming
   3. Cattle rearing
   4. Bead making
6. Oyo territory extended to which of these modern locations at its peak?
   1. Benin Republic
   2. Chad
   3. Niger
   4. Ghana
7. In Yoruba traditional belief, who is the god of wisdom and knowledge?
   1. Osun
   2. Ogun
   3. Orunmila
   4. Obatala
8. In Yoruba culture, the term 'Oba' refers specifically to:
   1. Herbalists
   2. Elders
   3. Warriors
   4. Kings
9. When did Nigeria officially become a British colony (via the amalgamation of protectorates)?
   1. 1898
   2. 1914
   3. 1900
   4. 1922
10. Which constitution introduced the federal system of government to Nigeria?
    1. Richard Constitution
    2. Lyttelton Constitution
    3. Macpherson Constitution
    4. Clifford Constitution
11. Igbo traditional societies typically trace their ancestry through:
    1. Father's lineage
    2. Mother's lineage
    3. Both parents
    4. Extended family
12. The Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in which town?
    1. Osogbo
    2. Ife
    3. Ibadan
    4. Owo
13. Historically, the market in Zaria was famous for which commodity?
    1. Slave trade
    2. Agricultural products
    3. Textiles and crafts
    4. Soap making
14. Which nationalist first raised a motion for Nigeria to have a constitution before independence was granted?
    1. Nnamdi Azikiwe
    2. Ahmadu Bello
    3. Obafemi Awolowo
    4. Herbert Macaulay
15. Re-orientation in the educational sector primarily involves addressing:
    1. Shifting needs
    2. Technological advancement
    3. Student feedback
    4. All of the above
16. The indigenous spiritual practices of the Yoruba are categorized as:
    1. African Traditional Worshippers
    2. Christianity
    3. Islam
    4. Orisha worship
17. In what year was the Royal Niger Company (RNC) charter established?
    1. 1886
    2. 1914
    3. 1909
    4. 1870
18. Which group provided the strongest and most recurring opposition to British colonial rule?
    1. Igbo
    2. Yoruba
    3. Hausa
    4. Traditional rulers in the South South
19. The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) was established in which year?
    1. 1954
    2. 1944
    3. 1960
    4. 1923
20. What is the name of the traditional formal attire worn by Igbo men?
    1. Isiagu
    2. Boubou
    3. Agbada
    4. Jalabia
21. The ancient Nok area in central Nigeria was primarily known for which activity?
    1. Textiles
    2. Agriculture
    3. Woodwork
    4. Hunting
22. Which major constitutional reform first introduced regional autonomy and house of representatives?
    1. Macpherson Constitution
    2. Lyttelton Constitution
    3. Richard Constitution
    4. Clifford Constitution
23. Within a corporate environment, 're-orientation' is most likely achieved through:
    1. Doubling the workforce
    2. Innovation
    3. Sacking staff
    4. Increasing salaries
24. Which global event significantly increased the awareness and demand for Nigerian self-independence?
    1. End of World War II
    2. The Great Depression
    3. End of World War I
    4. End of the Cold War
25. In Yoruba culture, the Bata drum ensemble is traditionally used in:
    1. Dance performances
    2. Political ceremonies
    3. Ritual practices
    4. Funerals
26. The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 divided Nigeria into how many regions?
    1. 1
    2. 2
    3. 3
    4. 4
27. In what year were the Southern and Northern Protectorates of Nigeria amalgamated?
    1. 1893
    2. 1900
    3. 1906
    4. 1914
28. Who is traditionally credited with founding the Oyo Empire?
    1. Oduduwa
    2. Oranmiyan
    3. Alaafin of Oyo
    4. Oba
29. Which ethnic group is known for using the Igala mask in their cultural festivals?
    1. Yoruba
    2. Igbo
    3. Edo
    4. Hausa
30. When was the first general election officially held in Nigeria under the elective principle?
    1. 1960
    2. 1959
    3. 1954
    4. 1923
31. Yoruba spirituality maintains a connection between the past, present, and future through:
    1. Fortune-telling
    2. Reincarnation
    3. Ancestor worship
    4. Prophecy
32. Who served as the Premier of the Western Region in the late 1950s?
    1. Aminu Kano
    2. Obafemi Awolowo
    3. Nnamdi Azikiwe
    4. Taiwo Akinkunmi
33. Traditional Igbo society is often described as practicing what form of government?
    1. Oligarchy
    2. Monarchy
    3. Aristocracy
    4. Gerontocracy
34. The Igbo belief that a deceased person can return to the physical world is called:
    1. Omenala
    2. Ekwensu
    3. Ilo Uwa
    4. Ndi Ala
35. What is the traditional name of the village assembly or justice system in Igbo land?
    1. Ozo
    2. Umunna
    3. Igwe
    4. Ama-ala
36. On a personal level, re-orientation often stems from a feeling of:
    1. Lack of fulfillment
    2. Enjoyment
    3. Learning
    4. Asking questions
37. When were the Colony of Lagos and the Southern Protectorate amalgamated?
    1. 1893
    2. 1900
    3. 1906
    4. 1914
38. Who was the first Nigerian appointed to the colonial Legislative Council?
    1. Sir Kitoye Ajasa
    2. Aminu Kano
    3. Sir Tafawa Balewa
    4. Ladoke Akintola
39. Who was the primary mastermind and leader of the Action Group (AG) party?
    1. Sir Adeyemo Alakija
    2. Chief Obafemi Awolowo
    3. Ladoke Akintola
    4. Ernest Ikoli
40. Who served as the first Nigerian Governor-General (and later the first President)?
    1. Herbert Macaulay
    2. Ahmadu Bello
    3. Tafawa Balewa
    4. Nnamdi Azikiwe
41. Where was the Oba of Benin, Ovonramwen, exiled to in 1897?
    1. Calabar
    2. Uyo
    3. Ebonyi
    4. Bayelsa
42. The ancient Kingdom of Nri is located in which modern state?
    1. Enugu
    2. Anambra
    3. Calabar
    4. Abia
43. Who was the first British official to serve as Governor-General of unified Nigeria?
    1. Sir Walter Egerton
    2. Lord Frederick Lugard
    3. Sir James Robertson
    4. Sir Ralph Moor
44. Which area is recognized as the site where the earliest bronze work in Nigeria was discovered?
    1. Benin
    2. Enugu
    3. Anambra (Igbo-Ukwu)
    4. Akwa Ibom
45. The first Alaafin (King) of the Oyo Empire was:
    1. Oranmiyan
    2. Obatala
    3. Orunmila
    4. Oduduwa
46. The Hausa language is classified under which broad language family?
    1. Nilo-Saharan
    2. Niger-Congo
    3. Sub-Saharan
    4. Afro-Asiatic
47. Historically, the Yoruba people are predominantly known for which artistic craft?
    1. Dance
    2. Bead making
    3. Textile weaving
    4. Sculpting
48. The famous 'Benin Bronzes' were created by which ethnic group?
    1. Benin (Edo)
    2. Yoruba
    3. Igbo
    4. Hausa
49. In Yoruba tradition, who is the deity associated with the sea and vast waters?
    1. Esu
    2. Orunmila
    3. Osun
    4. Olokun
50. The 1914 amalgamation of Nigerian territories resulted in the official name:
    1. The United Nation of Nigeria
    2. The Nigeria Colony
    3. The Nigeria Federation
    4. The Nigeria Colony and Protectorate
51. Which prominent leader was knighted (becoming a 'Sir') just before the colonial era ended?
    1. Herbert Macaulay
    2. Nnamdi Azikiwe
    3. Obafemi Awolowo
    4. Ahmadu Bello
52. The Argungu international fishing festival is a tradition of which ethnic group?
    1. Igbo
    2. Kanuri
    3. Hausa
    4. Yoruba
53. The 1959 general elections were specifically held to elect members of the:
    1. Legislative Council
    2. Local Government
    3. National Union
    4. Power House
54. From which ethnic group did the majority of Nigeria's early pioneer nationalists emerge?
    1. Niger-Delta ethnic groups
    2. Yoruba
    3. Hausa
    4. Igbo
55. Under the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution, which region was granted the largest political allocation?
    1. Southern Region
    2. Western Region
    3. Eastern Region
    4. Northern Region
56. Which political party played the most significant role in the administration of the Western Region?
    1. NNDP
    2. MPC
    3. Action Group (AG)
    4. NPP
57. What was the primary material used for traditional Yoruba residential buildings?
    1. Mud
    2. Clay
    3. Wood and thatch
    4. Metal
58. Which ethnic group is historical and culturally identified as descendants of the Nri civilization?
    1. Yoruba
    2. Igbo
    3. Hausa
    4. Benin
59. Which of these ethnic groups is primarily located in the central 'Middle Belt' region of Nigeria?
    1. Ijaw
    2. Yoruba
    3. Hausa
    4. Igbo
60. Which was the very first colonial constitution used to govern territories in Nigeria?
    1. Richard
    2. Lyttelton
    3. Macpherson
    4. Clifford
61. In which geographical region of Nigeria is the Benin (Edo) ethnic group located?
    1. Southwest
    2. Southeast
    3. Northeast
    4. Southern
62. Who served as the first president of the first nationwide political party (NCNC)?
    1. Herbert Macaulay
    2. Nnamdi Azikiwe
    3. Ladoke Akintola
    4. Ahmadu Bello
63. The 'Austerity Measures' were introduced in 1981 under whose presidential administration?
    1. Muhammadu Buhari
    2. Shehu Shagari
    3. Ibrahim Babangida
    4. Sani Abacha
64. Which city served as the first administrative capital of colonial Nigeria?
    1. Lagos
    2. Abuja
    3. Daura
    4. Calabar
65. The Eyo masquerade festival is a prominent cultural tradition of which city?
    1. Oyo
    2. Ife
    3. Lagos
    4. Ilesha
66. Which was the very first political party established in Nigeria?
    1. NPP
    2. NCNC
    3. NNDP
    4. NPC
67. The Macpherson Constitution was introduced in which year?
    1. 1954
    2. 1951
    3. 1922
    4. 1946
68. The 'Sarauta' system of governance is a traditional administrative structure of which group?
    1. Hausa
    2. Kanuri
    3. Fulani
    4. Jukun
69. Which British official led the first naval attack on Lagos in 1851?
    1. Captain Jones
    2. Commander Forbes
    3. Sir George Goldie
    4. Lord Fredrick Lugard
70. Which prominent leader/monarch was deposed and exiled to the West Indies?
    1. Oba Ovonramwen
    2. Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther
    3. Chief Nana Olomu
    4. King Jaja of Opobo
71. In Yoruba traditional religion, who is the god of iron and war?
    1. Sango
    2. Ogun
    3. Osun
    4. Obatala
72. Approximately how many ethnic groups are identified as being native to Nigeria?
    1. 300
    2. 230
    3. 250
    4. 450
73. Under which military regime was the number of Nigerian states increased from 19 to 30?
    1. Shehu Shagari
    2. Muhammadu Buhari
    3. Ibrahim Babangida
    4. Olusegun Obasanjo
74. The 'Change Begins with Me' national orientation campaign was launched by which leader?
    1. Shehu Shagari
    2. Muhammadu Buhari
    3. Ibrahim Babangida
    4. Olusegun Obasanjo
75. Who served as the long-term president of the NCNC after its founder's death?
    1. Nnamdi Azikiwe
    2. Ademola Akintola
    3. Herbert Macaulay
    4. Ernest Ikoli
76. In which year did the Second World War end?
    1. 1914
    2. 1918
    3. 1939
    4. 1945
77. Which nationalist leader was the primary founder and head of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU)?
    1. Sir Ahmadu Bello
    2. Mallam Aminu Kano
    3. Dr. R.A.B. Dikko
    4. Chief Dennis Osadebey
78. The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) was officially established in which year?
    1. 1923
    2. 1934
    3. 1936
    4. 1940

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