Many students search for WAEC Government Question and Answer 2017 hoping to memorize answers before exams. That approach rarely works.
WAEC does something smarter:
It repeats ideas, not sentences.
So if you understand why an answer is correct, you can solve almost any future question — even if wording changes.
This guide teaches the meaning behind the 2017 paper, not just the answers. After reading, you should be able to enter any Government exam and recognize the logic of the questions immediately.
First: What the Examiner Was Really Testing in 2017
The 2017 Government paper from West African Examinations Council focused on one central theme:
Can the student understand how a country is governed in real life?
Not definitions alone.
Not memorized notes.
Real political understanding.
That year emphasized:
- Why governments exist
- How power is controlled
- How citizens participate
- Why institutions matter
- How countries cooperate internationally
So every question – objective or essay – came from those ideas.
Understanding the Objective Questions (How to Think, Not Guess)
Multiple choice questions in Government are not about tricking you.
They check whether you can recognize political concepts in different forms.
Let’s break them the correct way.
Concept 1: Constitution
A question asked what a constitution is.
Most students selected “laws of a country.”
That is incomplete.
A constitution is actually:
The authority that makes every other law legal.
Why this matters:
If parliament passes a law that violates the constitution — courts cancel it.
So the constitution is not just a law book.
It is the legal foundation of the state.
That is why the correct answer is the fundamental law guiding a state.
Concept 2: Separation of Powers
Students often memorize Montesquieu without understanding.
The real idea is simple:
Humans misuse power.
Therefore power must be divided.
So government is split into:
| Arm | What it does |
|---|---|
| Legislature | Makes law |
| Executive | Applies law |
| Judiciary | Interprets law |
The examiner wanted you to recognize the purpose: preventing dictatorship.
Concept 3: Universal Adult Suffrage
Many students confuse this with general elections.
Universal adult suffrage means:
Every adult citizen can vote regardless of wealth, tribe, religion, or education.
The keyword is every adult citizen.
Concept 4: Parliamentary System
Students memorized “Prime Minister system.”
But the deeper idea:
In parliamentary government, the executive comes from parliament.
They are connected — not separate.
So if parliament loses confidence, government falls.
That is why the correct feature is fusion of executive and legislature.
Concept 5: Pressure Groups
This question confused many students.
Political party → wants power
Pressure group → wants influence
A pressure group never contests elections.
It tries to shape decisions made by those in power.
Example in real life: teachers unions demanding salary changes.
Essay Section – How Examiners Expect You to Answer
WAEC does not reward long essays.
It rewards structured explanation.
Think of your answer like teaching a younger student.
Question Type 1: Democracy
Instead of listing points randomly, explain the logic of democracy.
Democracy exists because citizens accept government authority.
They accept it because they choose the leaders.
From that idea, all features come naturally.
Features Explained Properly
Popular Participation
People vote and can be voted for.
Rule of Law
Leaders are not above law.
Human Rights
Citizens must be free to criticize government, otherwise elections are meaningless.
Periodic Elections
Without regular elections, leaders become permanent rulers.
Independent Courts
Courts protect citizens from abuse of power.
Question Type 2: Legislature Functions
Students often list too many points without clarity.
Instead group them logically.
Law Function
Creates and amends laws.
Control Function
Checks the executive — investigations, questioning ministers.
Financial Function
Approves taxes and spending.
Representation Function
Members speak for their constituencies.
Once explained like this, the answer becomes clear and earns full marks.
Question Type 3: Types of Constitution
Instead of memorizing, imagine two countries.
Country A writes everything in one book → Written constitution
Country B relies on traditions and court decisions → Unwritten constitution
Then explain consequences:
Written → stable but rigid
Unwritten → flexible but uncertain
Examiners reward explanation more than definition.
Question Type 4: Executive Responsibilities
The executive is simply the management of the state.
Think of a country as an organization.
The executive:
- implements decisions
- manages security
- conducts diplomacy
- prepares budget
- appoints officials
If you understand administration, the question becomes easy.
International Organizations – Why WAEC Always Tests This
Government is not only about one country.
Countries depend on each other.
That is why 2017 included global institutions.
United Nations
Main purpose: prevent global conflict and support development.
Peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid are key examples.
African Union
Focus: unity and political cooperation among African states.
ECOWAS
Focus: regional cooperation in West Africa
Trade, travel, and peacekeeping operations.
Instead of memorizing names, understand roles — that’s what WAEC checks.
Why Many Students Lost Marks in 2017
Teachers reported common problems:
Students wrote stories instead of explanations
Definitions were missing
Answers lacked structure
International organizations were ignored
Time was poorly managed
Government is a reasoning subject — not a storytelling subject.
How to Prepare Using the 2017 Paper
Use it as a pattern guide, not a memorization sheet.
Study Like This
- Understand political ideas
- Practice explaining in simple sentences
- Use headings in essays
- Always define before explaining
- Give real-life examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WAEC repeat questions?
They repeat concepts. Once you understand them, papers become predictable.
Is Government difficult?
Only when treated like history.
It is actually logic and civic understanding.
How long should an essay be?
Clear and structured — not long. Quality beats quantity.
Should I memorize past answers?
No. Learn the meaning behind them.
Final Advice
The 2017 Government paper was not hard.
It rewarded students who understood governance as a system rather than a list of definitions.
If you study politics as real life — how power works, why laws exist, and how citizens participate — every WAEC Government exam becomes manageable.
Master ideas, not sentences.
That is the real key to passing Government successfully.
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