100+ Free Constitutional Law Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Constitutional Law Exam

40%

Passing Mark

Nigerian Law School

15 years

Naturalisation Residence

CFRN 1999 (Sec 27)

4/5 vote

Rights Amendment Majority

CFRN 1999 (Sec 9)

21 days

Election Petition Deadline

CFRN 1999 (Sec 285)

3 months

Program Duration

Council of Legal Education

13%

Min Derivation Formula

CFRN 1999 (Sec 162)

The Nigerian Bar Part I Constitutional Law exam is a compulsory paper for foreign-trained law graduates transitioning to practice in Nigeria. Vested under the Council of Legal Education, the examination requires a 40% minimum passing mark. The syllabus tests constitutional supremacy, federalism, separation of powers, and the enforcement of Chapter IV fundamental rights. Successfully passing the Bar Part I is a prerequisite to enrolling in the Bar Part II (Bar Finals) program.

Sample Constitutional Law Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Constitutional Law exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following pre-independence constitutions first introduced the elective principle in Nigeria?

A.The Richards Constitution of 1946

B.The Clifford Constitution of 1922

C.The Macpherson Constitution of 1951

D.The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954

Explanation: The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle for the first time in Nigeria's constitutional history. It allowed for four elected legislative members (three representing Lagos and one representing Calabar) to the Legislative Council, marking the inception of democratic representation.

2Which pre-independence constitution is credited with first introducing regionalism into the Nigerian political structure?

A.The Clifford Constitution of 1922

B.The Richards Constitution of 1946

C.The Macpherson Constitution of 1951

D.The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954

Explanation: The Richards Constitution of 1946 introduced regionalism by dividing the country into three regions (Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions) and establishing Regional Houses of Assembly. It aimed to promote unity in diversity but laid the foundation for the regional polarization that followed.

3Under which pre-independence constitution was Nigeria first defined as a quasi-federal state, with regional laws requiring central approval?

A.The Richards Constitution of 1946

B.The Macpherson Constitution of 1951

C.The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954

D.The Independence Constitution of 1960

Explanation: The Macpherson Constitution of 1951 established a quasi-federal system. It gave regional legislatures the power to make laws, but these laws were subject to the approval of the Central House of Representatives, meaning the center still retained ultimate control.

4Which constitution formally established Nigeria as a true federal structure by separating the powers of the federal government from the regions and making regional laws independent of central approval?

A.The Macpherson Constitution of 1951

B.The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954

C.The Independence Constitution of 1960

D.The Republican Constitution of 1963

Explanation: The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 is regarded as the first formal federal constitution of Nigeria. It shared powers between the center and the regions using Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists, and regional laws no longer required central approval.

5Under the Independence Constitution of 1960, who was the official Head of State of Nigeria?

A.The Prime Minister

B.The President

C.The Queen of Great Britain

D.The Governor-General

Explanation: Under the 1960 Independence Constitution, Nigeria retained the British monarch (the Queen of Great Britain) as the Head of State. The Queen was represented locally by the Governor-General, while the Prime Minister served as the Head of Government in a parliamentary system.

6Which constitution abolished Nigeria's constitutional ties to the British Monarchy and replaced the Queen with an indigenous ceremonial President?

A.The Independence Constitution of 1960

B.The Republican Constitution of 1963

C.The Second Republic Constitution of 1979

D.The Third Republic Constitution of 1989

Explanation: The Republican Constitution of 1963 established Nigeria as a Republic, severing all formal ties with the British Monarchy. The Queen was replaced by a ceremonial President (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was replaced by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the final court of appeal.

7In which landmark case did the Supreme Court of Nigeria hold that a military takeover was not a revolution but an interregnum, leading to the enactment of a supremacy decree by the military government?

A.Lakanmi v. Attorney General of the Western State (1970)

B.E.O. Lakanmi v. Attorney General of the Federation (1983)

C.Adewole v. Jakande (1981)

D.Fawehinmi v. Abacha (2000)

Explanation: In Lakanmi v. Attorney General of the Western State (1970), the Supreme Court ruled that the military takeover in 1966 was not a revolution but a temporary constitutional interregnum. This implied the military was bound by the constitution. The military regime rejected this by enacting the Federal Military Government (Supremacy and Enforcement of Powers) Decree No. 28 of 1970, reasserting absolute decree supremacy.

8Which Nigerian constitution first replaced the British-style parliamentary system of government with a US-style presidential system?

A.The Republican Constitution of 1963

B.The Second Republic Constitution of 1979

C.The Third Republic Constitution of 1989

D.The Fourth Republic Constitution of 1999

Explanation: The 1979 Constitution of the Second Republic introduced the presidential system of government to Nigeria, replacing the parliamentary cabinet system. It created a single executive president who was both Head of State and Head of Government, independent of the legislature.

9Which of the following describes the status of the 1989 Constitution of Nigeria?

A.It was fully operational for ten years before being suspended by a coup.

B.It was enacted but never fully came into operation due to the annulment of the Third Republic transition.

C.It established the parliamentary system of the Third Republic.

D.It is the current constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Explanation: The 1989 Constitution was drafted and enacted under General Ibrahim Babangida's military regime. However, it was never fully brought into force due to the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, leading to the collapse of the Third Republic transition.

10The current 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is largely modeled after which previous constitution?

A.The 1960 Independence Constitution

B.The 1963 Republican Constitution

C.The 1979 Constitution

D.The 1989 Constitution

Explanation: The 1999 Constitution is largely a reenactment of the 1979 Constitution of the Second Republic. The military regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar adopted the 1979 framework with minor modifications to usher in the Fourth Republic.

About the Constitutional Law Exam

The Constitutional Law examination is a core compulsory paper in the Nigerian Bar Part I program administered by the Council of Legal Education for foreign-trained law graduates. It bridges the gap between foreign legal systems (particularly civil law or non-Nigerian jurisdictions) and the Nigerian constitutional framework. The curriculum covers the history of Nigerian constitutions from colonial administrations, through post-independence and military interregnums, to the current 1999 Constitution (as amended). It focuses heavily on the division of legislative, executive, and judicial powers, principles of federalism, fundamental human rights under Chapter IV, citizenship, political franchise, judicial review, and the constitutional amendment process.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions (Simulated practice bank)

Time Limit

1 hour

Passing Score

40%

Exam Fee

₦351,000 tuition fee, ₦30,000 application fee (Council of Legal Education (CLE) / Nigerian Law School (NLS))

Constitutional Law Exam Content Outline

15%

Constitutional History of Nigeria

Evolution of Nigerian constitutions from Clifford (1922) to the 1999 Constitution, regionalism, quasi-federalism, republican transitions, and military interregnums.

15%

Constitutional Concepts and Principles

Supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, separation of powers, Kelsenian theory of Grundnorm, checks and balances, and the doctrine of necessity.

15%

Federalism and Division of Powers

Exclusive vs. Concurrent legislative lists, residual powers, doctrine of covering the field, state creation, fiscal federalism, and the Joint Local Government account.

25%

Structure and Powers of Government

Composition, qualifications, and powers of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary; judicial review, appointments, impeachments, and the nolle prosequi power.

20%

Fundamental Human Rights

Chapter IV rights (Sections 33 to 46), derogation rules (Section 45), locus standi, and the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure (FREP) Rules 2009.

10%

Citizenship, Franchise, and Amendment

Acquisition and deprivation of citizenship, dual citizenship rules, party sponsorship constraints, general vs. special amendment processes, and election petition timelines.

How to Pass the Constitutional Law Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 40%
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions (Simulated practice bank)
Time limit: 1 hour
Exam fee: ₦351,000 tuition fee, ₦30,000 application fee

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Constitutional Law Study Tips from Top Performers

1Thoroughly memorize the division of legislative powers under the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists in the Second Schedule.

2Understand the difference between citizens by birth, registration, and naturalization, particularly regarding the forfeiture of citizenship and dual citizenship under Section 28.

3Focus on the exact exceptions to the right to personal liberty under Section 35 and the right to life under Section 33.

4Study the difference between the general amendment process (2/3 majority) and the special amendment process (4/5 majority) under Section 9.

5Familiarize yourself with key case law on the separation of powers and judicial independence, such as Elelu-Habeeb v. AGF (2012) and Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986).

6Review the ouster of judicial review regarding Chapter II (non-justiciability) under Section 6(6)(c).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Nigerian Bar Part I Constitutional Law exam?

It is a compulsory examination paper designed for foreign-trained law graduates from non-common law or other foreign jurisdictions. It ensures they acquire a solid grounding in the constitutional history, federal structure, and human rights framework of Nigeria before they proceed to the practical-oriented Bar Part II program.

What is the passing score for the Bar Part I examination?

The passing mark is 40% for each subject, including Constitutional Law. Candidates must pass all required papers in the Bar Part I examinations before they are cleared to register for the Bar Part II program at the Nigerian Law School.

Which constitution does the exam test?

The exam focuses heavily on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It also tests historical constitutions (such as Clifford 1922, Richards 1946, Macpherson 1951, Lyttelton 1954, 1960 Independence, and 1963 Republican) to assess the candidate's understanding of Nigeria's constitutional development.

Are military decrees and constitutional history tested?

Yes, constitutional history under military rule is a core component. The exam tests how military regimes suspended the constitution, the relationship between decrees and state edicts, and landmark judicial decisions such as Lakanmi v. AG Western State.

How is the right to dual citizenship governed under the Nigerian Constitution?

Under Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution, dual citizenship is permitted only for Nigerian citizens by birth. Citizens by registration or naturalization will forfeit their Nigerian citizenship if they acquire or retain the citizenship of another country.

What is the doctrine of covering the field in Nigerian federalism?

Derived from Section 4(5) of the Constitution, it states that if the National Assembly validly legislates on a subject on the Concurrent Legislative List, any State House of Assembly law on that same subject that is inconsistent with the federal law is void to the extent of the inconsistency. If there is no direct conflict but the federal law covers the field, the state law remains in abeyance.