Economic Activities and Growth of States: JAMB History Questions, Answers & Notes

What Economic Activities and Growth of States covers in the JAMB History syllabus

Farming (agriculture) was the main economic activity of most early peoples of the Nigeria area, supported by iron tools that eased clearing and cultivation. Other activities included fishing (riverine and coastal areas), cattle rearing (northern savanna), and craft industries such as cloth weaving, dyeing and metal (iron and bronze) working. Local markets were centres of exchange, with cowrie shells widely used as currency. Long-distance trans-Saharan trade, carried by camel caravans, linked northern states to North Africa: gold and other goods went north, salt came south, and forest products like kola nuts and oil palm were traded to the savanna. Control of trade routes brought wealth and power, helped rulers maintain armies and courts, encouraged the growth of towns, and spread culture, religion and ideas between peoples. The main point: economic activities like farming, craft industry and trade helped states to grow.

For Economic Activities and Growth of States, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Recall the main economic activities (farming, fishing, cattle rearing, crafts, trade)
• Explain trans-Saharan trade (gold north, salt south; camel caravans; cowrie currency) and local markets
• Link economic prosperity to the growth and strength of states

Key facts & revision notes: Economic Activities and Growth of States

These are the recurring points our Economic Activities and Growth of States questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• Farming (agriculture) was the main economic activity of most early peoples.
• Trans-Saharan trade linked northern states to markets in North Africa.
• Gold was a major item traded northward across the Sahara.
• Salt was a major item brought southward across the Sahara.
• Craft industries included weaving, dyeing and metal (iron and bronze) working.
• Local markets served as centres for buying and selling goods.
• Wealth from trade helped rulers maintain their armies and courts, strengthening the state.
• Fishing was important in riverine and coastal areas.
• Cattle rearing was common in the northern savanna.
• Kola nuts from the forest were traded northward to the savanna and beyond.
• The oil palm was an important product of the forest south.
• Control of trade routes gave states wealth and power.
• Cowrie shells were widely used as currency in early markets.
• Iron tools improved farming by making land clearing and cultivation easier.
• The growth of trade encouraged the growth of towns and urban centres.
• Long-distance trans-Saharan trade was carried by camel caravans.
• Farming was a major economic activity of early states.
• Economic prosperity contributed to the growth and strength of states.
• Trade also spread culture, religion and ideas between peoples.
• The main point is that economic activities like farming, craft industry and trade helped states to grow.

Worked examples

Three Economic Activities and Growth of States questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Economic Activities and Growth of States is tested in JAMB History

Our Economic Activities and Growth of States bank holds 20 questions (3 easy, 15 medium, 2 hard). JAMB History typically returns to Economic Activities and Growth of States year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Economic Activities and Growth of States questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Economic Activities and Growth of States. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one History item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Economic Activities and Growth of States is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Economic Activities and Growth of States

The errors that cost marks on Economic Activities and Growth of States are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Economic Activities and Growth of States actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Economic Activities and Growth of States part of the JAMB History syllabus?

Yes. Economic Activities and Growth of States is a recognised topic in the JAMB History syllabus, covering recall the main economic activities (farming, fishing, cattle rearing, crafts, trade). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Economic Activities and Growth of States questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Economic Activities and Growth of States questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Economic Activities and Growth of States?

Farming (agriculture) was the main economic activity of most early peoples of the Nigeria area, supported by iron tools that eased clearing and cultivation. Other activities included fishing (riverine and coastal areas), cattle rearing (northern savanna), and craft industries such as cloth weaving, …

How do I answer Economic Activities and Growth of States questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Economic Activities and Growth of States. Practising timed Economic Activities and Growth of States questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB History Economic Activities and Growth of States questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Economic Activities and Growth of States questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Economic Activities and Growth of States practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME History syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.