2026 WAEC Nigerian History Questions and Answers
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WAEC 2026 Nigerian History OBJ Answers ✅
The 2026 WAEC Nigerian History objective answers will be posted here as soon as the exam starts. Keep refreshing this page.
Complete and verified OBJ answers have now been posted below. Cross-check carefully during the exam.
01-10: D D C A D B C A D A
11-20: A A B C C C D C D B
21-30: C C B D D C B D A A
31-40: B B D C D D C A A A
41-50: A A B B B C C B A C
CBT Centre Candidates — Use This to Trace Reshuffled Questions
For CBT centre candidates whose questions were reshuffled, use the answer options below to trace your correct answers.
| No. | Answer | Option Text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | numismatics |
| 2 | B | financial constraints |
| 3 | C | free from distortion |
| 4 | A | written record |
| 5 | D | Spread of indigenous culture |
| 6 | C | Rabat |
| 7 | C | gold |
| 8 | A | salt mines |
| 9 | D | Swahili |
| 10 | D | promotion of Arabic literacy |
| 11 | A | trade |
| 12 | B | reliance on traditional rulers |
| 13 | B | they had enormous power and influence |
| 14 | C | Tekrur |
| 15 | C | decline of the trans-Saharan trade |
| 16 | A | Establishing settlements for Europeans |
| 17 | D | Mullato |
| 18 | C | Portugal |
| 19 | D | adoption of European culture |
| 20 | C | Recaptives |
| 21 | C | The slave dealers made huge profit from it |
| 22 | C | unavailability of slaves |
| 23 | B | charm |
| 24 | D | work on the plantations |
| 25 | D | Church Missionary Society |
| 26 | C | education |
| 27 | B | undermining the traditional religion |
| 28 | D | spread the faith |
| 29 | A | over-crowding in churches |
| 30 | A | acquisition of resources |
| 31 | B | effective occupation of colonies |
| 32 | B | Germany |
| 33 | D | Liberia |
| 34 | C | Industrial Revolution in Europe |
| 35 | D | re-demarcation of boundaries |
| 36 | D | Suppression of the slave trade |
| 37 | C | western education |
| 38 | A | protest |
| 39 | A | Assimilation |
| 40 | A | commoners appointed as rulers or chiefs |
| 41 | A | slowed down economic development |
| 42 | A | political instability |
| 43 | B | Cultural difference |
| 44 | B | Togo |
| 45 | B | poor governance |
| 46 | C | Political instability |
| 47 | C | formation of economic ties with Europe |
| 48 | A | language barrier |
| 49 | A | international peace |
| 50 | C | Monrovia and Brazzaville |
WAEC 2026 Nigerian History Essay/Theory Answers ✅
Check below for the complete Nigerian History essay answers. We update this page in real time.
Question 1
(1a) — Pick Any Three: Examples of NOK Artefacts
- Bronze vessels (pots and bowls)
- Bronze ornaments (necklaces and bangles)
- Bronze staff heads
- Copper objects
- Iron tools and weapons
- Beads of different colours and sizes
(1b) — Pick Any Four: Limitations of Archaeology as a Source of History
- Archaeology cannot provide exact dates for many historical events.
- Archaeological evidence is often incomplete because many artefacts have been destroyed.
- It does not provide detailed information about people’s beliefs, customs and traditions.
- Excavation is expensive and requires skilled personnel.
- Archaeological findings can be misinterpreted by researchers.
- Many artefacts remain buried and undiscovered.
- It gives little information about the names and activities of historical individuals.
- Natural disasters and human activities may damage or destroy archaeological sites.
Question 2
(2) — Pick Any Five: How Pre-Colonial Nigerian Groups Maintained Inter-Group Relations
- Trade and commerce: Different Nigerian groups exchanged goods and services through local and long-distance trade. For example, salt, fish, livestock, cloth, kola nuts and agricultural products were traded, which promoted regular contact and cooperation among communities.
- Inter-marriages: Marriage between people from different ethnic groups helped to strengthen social relationships and foster peaceful coexistence. It also encouraged the sharing of customs, traditions and cultural values.
- Migration and settlement: Many groups migrated from one place to another and settled among other communities. This led to the exchange of ideas, languages, technologies and cultural practices, thereby promoting inter-group relations.
- Wars and military alliances: Although wars sometimes caused conflicts, they also brought different groups into contact with one another. In some cases, communities formed military alliances to defend themselves against common enemies and external threats.
- Diplomatic relations: Traditional rulers maintained peaceful relations through the exchange of envoys, messengers and gifts. These diplomatic activities helped to resolve disputes, strengthen friendships and promote cooperation among different groups.
- Spread of religion: The spread of traditional religions and later Islam encouraged interaction among different Nigerian peoples. Religious teachers, pilgrims and worshippers travelled across communities, helping to establish social and cultural links.
- Cultural exchanges: Different groups borrowed and shared aspects of their culture such as music, dances, festivals, dressing styles, language and artistic practices. This exchange increased understanding and unity among the various communities.
- Common markets and trade routes: Markets and trade routes served as important meeting points where people from different ethnic groups interacted regularly. These contacts encouraged friendship, cooperation, exchange of ideas and peaceful coexistence.
Question 3
(3a) — Pick Any Three: Examples of Ile-Ife Art Works
- Bronze heads
- Terracotta heads
- Stone sculptures
- Brass figures
- Pottery objects
- Beads
(3b) — Pick Any Four: Importance/Uses of Ile-Ife Art Works
- Religious purposes: Many works of art were used in religious worship and traditional shrines and were believed to connect the people with their gods and ancestors.
- Preservation of history: The artworks helped to preserve the history, traditions and cultural heritage of the people. They provided information about past rulers, events and ways of life.
- Decoration and beautification: The works of art were used to decorate palaces, shrines and public places, thereby enhancing the beauty of the environment.
- Source of income: Artists and craftsmen earned a living through the production and sale of artworks. Trade in art objects also contributed to the economic development of the society.
- Political significance: Some artworks were used to symbolize the authority, power and prestige of kings and chiefs. They helped to strengthen respect for traditional institutions.
- Promotion of culture and identity: The artworks reflected the beliefs, values and customs of the Ile-Ife people. They helped to promote cultural identity and unity among the people.
Question 4
(4a) — Pick Any Three: Officials in the Sokoto Caliphate
- Sultan (Caliph)
- Waziri (Vizier)
- Emir
- Alkali (Judge)
- Madawaki
- Galadima
(4b) — Pick Any Five: Features of the Sokoto Caliphate Administration
- Centralized administration: The Sokoto Caliphate had a well-organized central government headed by the Sultan, who was the supreme political and religious leader of the state.
- Emirate system: The Caliphate was divided into emirates, each governed by an Emir who administered the territory on behalf of the Sultan.
- Islamic system of government: The administration was based on Islamic principles and the teachings of the Quran and Sharia law.
- Appointment of officials: Various officials such as the Waziri, Alkali, Galadima and Madawaki assisted in the administration and ensured the smooth running of government affairs.
- Efficient judicial system: The Caliphate had a well-structured court system headed by Alkalis who administered justice according to Islamic law.
- Taxation and revenue collection: The government collected taxes such as zakat, tributes and other levies which were used to maintain the administration and support public activities.
Question 5
(5) — Pick Any Five: Factors That Facilitated British Conquest of Nigeria
- Superior military technology: The British possessed modern weapons such as machine guns, rifles and artillery, which were far more effective than the locally made weapons used by most Nigerian societies. This military advantage enabled them to defeat many communities with relative ease.
- Disunity among Nigerian states: Many Nigerian kingdoms, emirates and communities were not united. Frequent conflicts and rivalries among them prevented the formation of a common front against British expansion, making conquest easier.
- Treaties and agreements: The British entered into various treaties with local rulers. Although some rulers did not fully understand the implications of these agreements, the British later used them to justify their political control over different territories.
- Activities of Christian missionaries: Christian missionaries introduced Western education, Christianity and European culture. Their activities increased British influence in Nigerian communities and helped pave the way for colonial rule.
- Use of African soldiers (Hausawa/Royal Niger Company troops): The British recruited and used African soldiers to fight against other Nigerian communities. This reduced the cost of conquest and helped overcome local resistance.
Question 6
(6) — Pick Any Five: Negative Effects of Christian Missionary Activities in Nigeria
- Decline of traditional religion: The activities of the Christian missionaries led to the decline of African traditional religion in many parts of Nigeria. Many converts abandoned the worship of local gods and ancestral practices in favour of Christianity.
- Erosion of cultural values: Missionaries condemned several traditional customs and practices which they considered incompatible with Christianity. As a result, some important cultural values and traditions gradually disappeared.
- Destruction of traditional religious objects: Many shrines, idols, sacred groves and other religious objects were destroyed by converts and missionaries. This led to the loss of valuable cultural and religious heritage.
- Division among communities and families: The introduction of Christianity sometimes created disagreements between converts and non-converts. In some communities, this resulted in conflicts, family disputes and social divisions.
- Undermining of traditional authority: Traditional rulers and religious leaders lost some of their influence as many people began to follow Christian teachings instead of traditional customs and institutions.
- Promotion of European culture: Missionaries encouraged the adoption of European languages, dressing, names and lifestyles. This reduced the importance attached to some indigenous cultural practices and ways of life.
- Support for colonial expansion: Missionary activities often increased European presence and influence in Nigeria. In several areas, this indirectly assisted the establishment and consolidation of British colonial rule.
- Neglect of indigenous education and knowledge: The emphasis placed on Western education led many people to pay less attention to traditional systems of education, local knowledge, folklore and indigenous methods of transmitting culture and skills from one generation to another.
Question 7
(7) — Pick Any Five: Effects of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)
- Loss of lives: The Nigerian Civil War led to the death of a large number of soldiers and civilians. Many people lost their lives through military confrontations, hunger, diseases and other hardships associated with the war.
- Destruction of property and infrastructure: Numerous houses, schools, hospitals, markets, roads and bridges were destroyed during the conflict. This caused severe damage to the social and economic life of the affected areas.
- Economic setback: The war disrupted trade, agriculture, industry and other economic activities. Large sums of money were spent on military operations, thereby slowing down national development and economic growth.
- Displacement of people: Millions of people were forced to leave their homes and communities because of the fighting. Many became refugees or internally displaced persons and suffered various forms of hardship.
- Promotion of national unity and reconciliation: After the war, the Federal Government adopted policies aimed at reuniting the country. Programmes such as the 3Rs (Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation) were introduced to rebuild the nation and restore peace.
- Strengthening of federal authority: The outcome of the war confirmed the supremacy of the Federal Government over the regions/states. This helped to prevent future secession attempts and reinforced Nigerian unity.
- Growth of the Nigerian army: The war led to a significant increase in the size and capacity of the Nigerian military. The armed forces gained experience, though this also contributed to increased military involvement in Nigerian politics in later years.
- International humanitarian concern: The suffering caused by the war, especially the starvation of children in the Eastern Region (Biafra), attracted worldwide attention. International organizations provided relief materials and the war raised global awareness about the effects of civil conflicts on civilian populations.

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