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Table of Contents

NECO Syllabus For Government 2020/2021

In this article, we will be sharing the full NECO syllabus for Government. This is specifically for all candidates who are taking Government in thE 2020/2021 NECO examination. Enjoy your read!

NECO Syllabus For Government

Section A: Elements Of Government

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, function, 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.

Section B: Political And Constitutional Developments In West Africa And International Relations

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.

(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 Littleton 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, strength and Weaknesses.

(b) Ghana – Independence Constitution, 1957 Republican Constitution 1960 2nd Republican Constitution 1969 3rd Republican Constitution 1979 4th Republican Constitutions 1992.

(d) The Gambia – Independence Constitution 1965 Republican Constitution 1970. 2nd Republican Constitution 1997

(e) Liberia – Independence/Republican Constitution 1947 2nd 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.

Suggested Reading List

Ghana Evolution and Change in the 19th and 20th Centuries by ADU BOAHEN, A

Ghana and the Rawlings Factor by SHILLINGTON K.

African Political Parties by HODGKIN T.

Foreign Policies of Major Countries, Subject Publications, New Delhi by GARBRAH H. K.

Senior Secondary School Government Bks. 1&2 by ADDAE P. G.

A – ONE in Government by NOFIU S. O. A.

Modern Government by ECHIEFU S. M

The Substance of Politics by APPADORAI A.

Political Institutions in West Africa by PRICE J. H.

Political Studies by LEEDS C. A.

Groundwork of Government in West Africa by AMOA G. Y.