WAEC Civic Education 2025 Objective Past Questions
All 51 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Civic Education 2025 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
The training of oneself in subjection to self-rules and self-control is achieved as a result of
A. Integrity
B. DisciplineCorrect
C. Contentment
D. Commitment
Explanation
Discipline refers to the ability to control one's behavior and actions according to rules or standards. It involves training oneself to act in a responsible, orderly way, which includes self-control and adherence to personal and societal rules.
A situation where people are encouraged to define their own values and respect other people's values is known as
A. Mobilization
B. ClarificationCorrect
C. Classification
D. Orientation
Explanation
Value clarification is a process where individuals define their values clearly and learn to respect the values of others. It helps in understanding and accepting diverse views in a pluralistic society.
A Gambian who wishes to become a Nigerian citizen by naturalization must be
A. 18 years old and above and have spent at least 15 years in NigeriaCorrect
B. 18 years old and above and have spent at least 25 years in Nigeria
C. 21 years and above and have spent at least 10 years in Nigeria
D. 21 years old and above and have spent at least 5 years in Nigeria
Explanation
According to Nigerian law, for a foreigner to become a citizen by naturalization, they must be at least 18 years old and must have lived in Nigeria for at least 15 years.
The major reason for studying Civic Education is that it
A. encourages the struggle for political power in the state
B. inculcates the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in the citizens of a stateCorrect
C. helps students and citizens to study and understand their physical environment
D. enables students and citizens to identify the problems in their society without offering functional solutions to them
Explanation
Civic Education aims to develop responsible citizens who are aware of their rights and duties, and who are committed to national unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility.
While important for democratic participation, a voter's card is not a national symbol. National symbols include the national flag, coat of arms, anthem, pledge, and currency.
The newspapers established by the nationalists helped in
A. revealing the weaknesses of the colonial powersCorrect
B. fighting racial discrimination in the country
C. protecting the rights of the traditional rulers
D. promoting the image of the nationalists
Explanation
Nationalist newspapers played a key role in exposing colonial injustices, mobilizing public opinion, and advocating for independence and self-governance.
How many articles are contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948?
A. 30Correct
B. 33
C. 48
D. 50
Explanation
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948, contains 30 articles detailing the fundamental rights and freedoms of all human beings.
A person who is found guilty of an offence and sentenced to prison by a competent court of law would forfeit his/her
A. freedom of expression and right to fair hearing
B. right to life and right to personal liberty
C. right to movement and associationCorrect
D. right to fair hearing and right to movement
Explanation
A convicted person loses certain civil liberties such as the right to move freely and associate with others while serving a prison term. However, rights like life and fair hearing are preserved.
Responsible parenthood is important to national development because it
A. promotes political participation
B. ensures upbringing of strict leaders
C. emphasizes equality in the society
D. helps in reduction of social vicesCorrect
Explanation
Responsible parenting instills moral values, discipline, and proper behavior in children, reducing the likelihood of youth engaging in crimes and other social vices.
Conflict resolution mechanisms in inter-communal relationships include
A. reorientation
B. compromiseCorrect
C. commendation
D. diligence
Explanation
Compromise is a key method of conflict resolution. It involves each party making concessions to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, especially in inter-communal disputes.
B. citizens cannot operate without help of the government
C. individuals need the cooperation of others to progressCorrect
D. humans are made to marry and have life partners
Explanation
The phrase 'no man is an island' means that no one can succeed or live independently of others. Cooperation and social interaction are necessary for personal and communal growth.
Which of the following cannot be identified as drug abuse?
A. Consumption of the right dosage of prescribed drugsCorrect
B. Trafficking of hard substances
C. Consumption of high dosage of legal drugs
D. Taking drugs without authorization
Explanation
Drug abuse refers to the misuse or overuse of drugs, whether legal or illegal. Taking prescribed drugs in the correct dosage is considered proper use, not abuse.
Human trafficking begins with recruiting individuals (often through deception or coercion) for exploitative purposes, such as forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Empowering youths through startup capital enables them to start businesses or pursue creative projects, fostering economic independence and innovation.
Which of the following is not a youth empowerment skill?
A. Leadership skills
B. Communication skills
C. Self-reliance skills
D. Investigation skillsCorrect
Explanation
While important in some contexts, investigation skills are not typically categorized under youth empowerment skills, which include leadership, communication, and self-reliance.
The power to impeach the president of a country resides in the
A. executive
B. judiciary
C. legislatureCorrect
D. supreme court
Explanation
In a constitutional democracy, the power to impeach the president lies with the legislative arm of government, usually through a set process involving both chambers.
Which organ of government do ministers, commissioners and supervisory councillors belong to?
A. ExecutiveCorrect
B. Legislature
C. Judiciary
D. Civil service
Explanation
Ministers, commissioners, and supervisory councillors are part of the executive branch; they implement laws and manage day-to-day affairs of government.
The adoption of a federal system of government is necessitated by fear of
A. ethnic dominationCorrect
B. inclusion of a secretive clause
C. availability of abundant natural resources
D. adoption of a written constitution
Explanation
Federalism helps prevent one ethnic group from dominating others by distributing power across different regions or states, promoting unity in diversity.
Carefully study the given list of Civic Education terms I to VII (Political apathy, Law and order, Human trafficking, HIVAIDS, Popular participation, Responsible parenting, Fundamental Human Rights). Absence of one of the following pairs will spell doom for the society
A. I and II
B. IV and V
C. III and VI
D. II and VIICorrect
Explanation
A society without law and order (II) or fundamental human rights (VII) will experience chaos and oppression, leading to societal breakdown.
The entitlements of every child in the society are
A. II and V
B. V and VII
C. VI and VIICorrect
D. II and VI
Explanation
Children are entitled to responsible parenting (VI) for nurturing and care, and fundamental human rights (VII) to protect their dignity and development.
Which of the following is the implication of immunity clause?
A. Some public officers cannot be suedCorrect
B. The president can grant pardon to any prisoner/criminal
C. Public officers are not accountable to the electorate
D. There is absence of arbitrary rule
Explanation
The immunity clause protects certain officials from legal action while in office, to ensure smooth governance, though it must be carefully monitored to prevent abuse.
Neutrality of civil servants implies that they should
A. be appointed by a neutral body
B. be recruited on the basis of federal character
C. have security of tenure
D. not be affiliated to any political partyCorrect
Explanation
Neutrality of civil servants means they must remain politically impartial. They are expected to serve any government in power, regardless of political leaning, and must not show favoritism or engage in partisan politics.
The following are forms of political apathy except
A. refusal to register for voting
B. rigging of electionsCorrect
C. lack of interest
D. refusal to give information
Explanation
Political apathy refers to a lack of interest or participation in political processes. Rigging elections is an active manipulation of the process, not a passive refusal or disinterest, and therefore is not a form of apathy.
Study the diagram: 'No man is above the ordinary law' / 'No man is punishable except for breaking the law' / 'The general principle of the constitution'. What does letter X in the diagram stand for?
A. Separation of powers
B. Checks and balances
C. Democratic division
D. Rule of lawCorrect
Explanation
The three principles in the diagram - that no one is above the law, that punishment is based on law, and that constitutional principles apply equally - are key tenets of the rule of law, which ensures fairness and equality before the law.
The letter X as illustrated in the diagram is an integral feature of
A. limited government
B. absolute monarchy
C. constitutional democracyCorrect
D. aristocratic government
Explanation
The rule of law is foundational to constitutional democracy, where the powers of government are defined and limited by a constitution and the rights of citizens are protected under legal frameworks.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) assist government in alleviating poverty by
A. influencing government decisions
B. promoting youth empowermentCorrect
C. criticizing electoral malpractice
D. exerting influence on legislation
Explanation
CSOs contribute to poverty alleviation through initiatives like skill acquisition programs, education support, and entrepreneurship training, particularly for youths, thereby enhancing income opportunities.
Which of the following is a major source of funding for civil societies?
A. Government allocation
B. Membership dues
C. Foreign donationsCorrect
D. Taxation and borrowing
Explanation
Many CSOs rely on foreign donors such as international NGOs, development agencies, and philanthropic foundations for funding, especially in developing countries.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are not characterized by
A. establishing new political partiesCorrect
B. advocating for benefits of democracy
C. checkmating the excesses of government
D. acting as training ground for future leaders
Explanation
CSOs do not form political parties; they operate independently of government and political structures. Their roles include advocacy, accountability promotion, and civic education, not partisan politics.
An established way public servants protest to protect their interests is by
A. police action
B. hunger strike
C. industrial strikeCorrect
D. mass resignation
Explanation
An industrial strike is a collective action by public servants (or workers in general) to press home demands or protest unfavorable conditions. It is a recognized legal form of protest in labor relations.
Anonymity of civil servants implies that civil servants are
A. not expected to take credit or blame in their dutyCorrect
B. expected to abstain from voting during elections
C. expected to be fair and impartial in judgement
D. not expected to be politically known in the society
Explanation
Anonymity means civil servants work behind the scenes and do not publicly receive praise or criticism for governmental decisions. Ministers or political heads take responsibility for public decisions.