Constitutional Development in Nigeria

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Constitutional Development in Nigeria, the JAMB Government syllabus expects you to study:

• 4. Constitutional Development in Nigeria: a. Hugh Clifford Constitution (1922) b. Arthur Richards Constitution (1946) c. John Macpherson Constitution (1951) d. Oliver Lyttleton Constitution (1954) e. Independence Constitution (1960) Their features, merits and demerits.

Study notes & guidance

Study Constitutional Development in Nigeria using a recommended Government textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Government, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Constitutional Development in Nigeria, you should be able to:

1. Compare the various constitutional developments;
2. Analyse the merits and demerits of each of the constitutions.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Government syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.