WAEC Government Syllabus 2026/2027 and Textbooks
The WAEC Government Syllabus 2026/2027 for Senior Secondary Schools covers the fundamentals of government and politics, including concepts like the state, organs of government (legislative, executive, judiciary), and different political ideologies.
It also includes topics on democratic principles, such as citizenship, electoral systems, and political parties. The syllabus focuses on Nigerian and international governance, covering areas like pre-colonial and colonial systems, constitutional development, federalism, and foreign policy.
Contents
Objectives
- Students must define the concept of Government and show his understanding of its principles, institutions and processes
- Students must recognize his role as an informed citizen and his contribution towards the achievement of national development;
- Students must evaluate the successes, failures and problems of governments in West Africa;
- Students Must appreciate the role of his country as a member of the international community.
Perfect Scheme of Examination
The exam will consist of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, both of which will be written in a single sitting.
Paper 1 will contain 50 multiple-choice questions that cover the entire syllabus. Candidates will have 1 hour to answer all the questions, which are worth a total of 40 marks.
Paper 2 is a 2-hour essay-based exam and is divided into two sections:
- Section A: Elements of Government will consist of five questions, and candidates are required to attempt two of them.
- Section B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations will include sets of five questions, each focusing on a different West African country. Candidates must choose and answer two questions from the set corresponding to the country in which they are taking the exam. This section carries 60 marks in total.
In total, the exam will cover a broad range of topics, including both theoretical aspects of government and practical developments in West Africa and international relations.
WAEC Government Syllabus 2026/2027
| WAEC SYLLABUS FOR GOVERNMENT | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| THEME | ||
| 1 | MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT | (i) Government as an institution of the state . Definition of state, features, structure and functions. (ii) Government as a process or art or governing. (iii) Government as an academic field of study – reasons for studying government. |
| 2 | BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT | (i) Basic concepts – State, *Society, *Nation, Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Democracy, Political Culture and Socialization, Communalism, Feudalism and oligarchy, *Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism, Aristocracy, Totalitarianism. Meaning and features. (ii) Basic principles – Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights, Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances, Constitutionalism, Political participation, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization – (Delegated Legislation, Devolution and Decentralization). |
| 3 | CONSTITUTIONS | (i) Definition and Sources (ii) Functions (iii) Types and Features , (Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible). |
| 4 | ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT | The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary – Judicial Independence. (Types, Structure, Composition/membership; Functions; powers and limitations). |
| 5 | STATE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT | (a) Types – Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential or Non-parliamentary, Parliamentary or Cabinet, Monarchical and Republican. Meaning, types, features, merits and demerits. |
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP | Meaning, mode of acquisition, rights, duties and obligations of individuals in the state. Means of safeguarding rights of citizens. |
| 7 | POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS | (i) Political Parties – definition, organization/structure, and functions. (ii) Party Systems – definition, types, merits and demerits. |
| 8 | PRESSURE GROUPS, PUBLIC OPINION AND MASS MEDIA | (i) Pressure Groups – definition, types, mode of operation and functions; (ii) Public opinion – definition, formation, Measurement and importance; (iii) Mass Media – definition, roles and impact. |
| 9 | THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY | (a) Electoral Systems and Processes (i) Election- Meaning and purpose of elections. (ii) Franchise – meaning, and limitations. (iii) Types, advantages and disadvantages of Electoral Systems. (b) Electoral Management Body – definition, functions, problems/constrains. |
| 10 | PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION | (i) Public/Civil Service – Meaning, Structure, Characteristics and Functions. (ii) Public/Civil Service Commission –meaning and Functions. (iii) Public Corporations – definition, purposes, functions, control, challenges, need for commercialization and privatization. (iv) Local Governments – Meaning, structure, Purposes, Functions, Sources of revenue, control and problems. |
| 11 | PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | The Structural Organization of the following: (a) Nigeria – Hausa/Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo. (b) Ghana – The Akan and the Talensi. (c) Sierra Leone – The Mende and Temme. (d) The Gambia – The Wolof, Mandingo and Jola. (e) Liberia – The Vai and the Kru. |
| 12 | COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION | (i) The Policy and Structure of the British Colonial Administration – Crown Colony, Protectorate and Indirect Rule. (ii) The Policy of French Colonial Administration – Assimilation and Association (Loi Cadre). (iii) Impact, Advantages and disadvantages of Colonial Rule. |
| 13 | NATIONALISM IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | (i) Nationalism: Meaning, factors and effects. (ii) Key Nationalist leaders/movements and their contributions. |
| 14 | CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | (i) Pre-Independence Constitutions – (a) Nigeria (features) – Clifford 1922 Richards 1946 Macpherson 1951 Lyttleton 1954 (b) Ghana (features, merits and demerits) – Clifford 1916 Guggisberg 1925 Burns 1946 Arden Clarke 1951 Nkrumah 1954 (c) Sierra Leone (features, merits and demerits) – Slatter 1924 Stevenson 1947 Beresford Stooke 1951 The 1956 and 1958 Constitutions. (d) The Gambia (features, merits and demerits) – The 1947, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1962 and 1963 Constitutions. (ii) Post-Independence Constitutions – Features (a) Nigeria – Independence Constitution, 1960 Republican Constitution 1963 The 1979 and 1989 Constitutions 1999 Constitution – Origin, features, strengths and Weaknesses. (b) Ghana – Independence Constitution, 1957 Republican Constitution 1960 2 nd Republican Constitution 1969 3 rd Republican Constitution 1979 4 th Republican Constitutions 1992. (c) Sierra Leone – Independence Constitution 1961 Republican Constitution 1971 The 1978 and 1991 Constitutions, (d) The Gambia – Independence Constitution 1965 Republican Constitution 1970. 2 nd Republican Constitution 1997 (e) Liberia – Independence/Republican Constitution 1947 2 nd Republican Constitution 1985 |
| 15 | DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | – Nigeria – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Formation, Objectives, Sources of Finance, Achievements and Failures |
| 16 | MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES. | – Nigeria – Ghana; – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Causes, effects and various military regimes. |
| 17 | FEDERAL/UNITARY SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN WEST AFRICA | – Nigeria – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Origin, Factors, Structure, Features and Problems |
| 18 | FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | – Nigeria – Ghana – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Definitions, Factors, objectives, advantages and disadvantages. |
| 19 | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | The United Nations Organizations (UNO), The Commonwealth of Nations, African Union (AU) – NEPAD, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Origin, aims/objectives, achievements and problems. |
WAEC Government Textbooks 2026/2027
- ADU BOAHEN, Ghana Evolution and Change in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
- SHILLINGTON K. Ghana and the Rawlings Factor.
- A HODGKIN T. African Political Parties.
- GARBRAH H. K Foreign Policies of Major Countries, Subject Publications, New Delhi.
- ADDAE P. G. Senior Secondary School Government Bks. 1&2.
- NOFIU S. O. A. A – ONE in Government.
- ECHIEFU S. M Modern Government.
- APPADORAI A. The Substance of Politics.
- PRICE J. H. Political Institutions in West Africa
- LEEDS C. A. Political Studies.
- AMOA G. Y. Groundwork of Government in West Africa.
- DARE AND OYEWOLE A Textbook of Government for Senior Secondary School.
- OYEDIRAN AND CO. Government for Senior Secondary School.
- FRANCIS ADIGWE Essentials of Government.
- DENNIS AUSTIN Politics in Ghana 1946-1960.
- PRAH ISAAC Government for Senior Secondary School
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