The Second Republic: JAMB History Questions, Answers & Notes

What The Second Republic covers in the JAMB History syllabus

The Second Republic began in 1979 and used a presidential system (modelled partly on the USA) with a President and a National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives); the first Executive President was Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), governing nineteen states. Executive power was held by the President under a separation of powers from the legislature. The republic was troubled by mismanagement, corruption and over-reliance on oil revenue, and an economic downturn came as oil prices fell. The 1983 general elections were disputed and marred by irregularities, and the Second Republic was ended by a military coup in December 1983 that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power. The main point: the Second Republic (1979-83), a presidential system under Shagari, was weakened by corruption and economic downturn and fell to a military coup in 1983.

For The Second Republic, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Recall the Second Republic (1979-83), presidential system, first President (Shagari, NPN), National Assembly
• Explain its problems (corruption, mismanagement, oil price fall, disputed 1983 elections)
• State the end in the December 1983 coup that brought Buhari to power

Key facts & revision notes: The Second Republic

These are the recurring points our The Second Republic questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• The Second Republic began in 1979.
• The Second Republic used a presidential system, modelled partly on the USA.
• Shehu Shagari was the first Executive President of the Second Republic.
• Shagari's party was the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
• Under the presidential system, executive power was held by the President.
• The Second Republic was troubled by mismanagement and corruption.
• An economic downturn came as oil prices fell, straining government finances.
• The 1983 general elections were disputed and marred by irregularities.
• The Second Republic was ended by a military coup in December 1983.
• The December 1983 coup brought Muhammadu Buhari to power.
• The Second Republic had a President and a National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).
• Nigeria had nineteen states during the Second Republic.
• A weakness was over-reliance on oil revenue, which left the economy exposed when prices fell.
• Political corruption and lack of discipline weakened the republic.
• The presidential system separated the executive from the legislature (separation of powers).
• Shehu Shagari was the first Executive President.
• The Second Republic ended in a military coup in 1983.
• The Second Republic used a presidential system.
• The main point is that the Second Republic (1979-83), a presidential system under Shagari, was weakened by corruption and economic downturn and fell to a military coup in 1983.

Worked examples

Three The Second Republic questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How The Second Republic is tested in JAMB History

Our The Second Republic bank holds 20 questions (2 easy, 11 medium, 7 hard). JAMB History typically returns to The Second Republic 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 The Second Republic 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 The Second Republic. 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 The Second Republic is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in The Second Republic

The errors that cost marks on The Second Republic 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 The Second Republic actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Second Republic part of the JAMB History syllabus?

Yes. The Second Republic is a recognised topic in the JAMB History syllabus, covering recall the Second Republic (1979-83), presidential system, first President (Shagari, NPN), National Assembly. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many The Second Republic questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard The Second Republic 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 The Second Republic?

The Second Republic began in 1979 and used a presidential system (modelled partly on the USA) with a President and a National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives); the first Executive President was Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), governing nineteen states. Executive p…

How do I answer The Second Republic questions quickly in JAMB?

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

Are these JAMB History The Second Republic 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 The Second Republic questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start The Second Republic 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.