JSS 3 NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers History

This is for BECE Candidates looking for NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers History, as they call it. But this is Basic Education Certificate Examination by the National Examination Council (NECO) for JSS3 candidates. The History paper is compulsory for all candidates regardless of their school. So, here you will get genuine NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers for History. Your duty now is to read through them as many times as possible and get ready to smash your paper. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

What are NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers History?

NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers History are the questions you should expect in your History paper in 2026 BECE, together with their answers.

It is very important that every candidate preparing to sit for in the forthcoming 2026 BECE examinations should catch a glimpse of these questions.

In so doing, they will know what to expect in the exam hall. Knowing exactly what to expect will boost their confidence and guarantee them a very high score.

Note that the History Paper comprises of

1. Paper I
2. Paper II

NECO BECE 2026 History Questions and Answers Revealed!

On this page, we shall reveal NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers for all candidates taking the History paper.

How lucky you are to stumble upon this important page!

The questions are genuine and the answers are accurate, and all are a product of our passion to see you excel in your BECE and proceed to Senior Secondary School.

In the following sections, you will read the History questions you are to expect in your 2026 NECO BECE exam as well as their answers. You can use the comments section if you still need clarification over some of the questions. We will give you a more detailed explanation.

PAPER I

1. History can be defined as an attempt to study the past by
A. assumption     B. education
C. enquiring        D. participation
E. questioning

2. One of the importance of history is that, it teaches us to
A. avoid mistakes of the past
B. cooperate using traditional languages
C. read widely
D. showcase our cultural heritage
E. visit important places

3. History provides rich examples and illustration of successes from which societies might learn to be
A. democratic        B. industrious
C. intelligent          D. leaders
E. patriotic

4. The knowledge of the foundation of a society can be sourced from
A. culture        B. government
C. history        D. politics
E. warfare

5. One of the major tasks of a historian is to identify
A. accurate information about the past
B. actors of past events
C. eyes witness accounts
D. information on cultural foundation
E. teaching topics in schools

6. The following are importance of history to a nation except
A. creation of job opportunities
B. encouragement of interpersonal relations
C. promotion of communication skills
D. promotion of economic ties
E. understanding different groups

7. The approach through which people can assess information about past events is
A. archaeology
B. evaluation
C. information technology
D. methodology
E. primary source

8. An accurate enquiry about the past is provided by ______ source of history
A. archaeological
B. elementary
C. primary
D. secondary
E. tertiary

9. Historical facts that are transmitted from one generation to the other verbally are
A. artifacts           B. folklores
C. legends           D. myths
E. oral traditions

10. Who is a nationalist among the following personalities?
A. Bukola Saraki
B. Herbert Macaulay
C. Joseph Wayas
D. Olusegun Obasanjo
E. Tunji Braithwaite

11. Information about the past activities of the government are preserved in the
A. archive
B. historical site
C. museum
D. state house
E. traditional court

12. Historical artifacts are mainly excavated and studied by
A. Archaeologists
B. Astrologists
C. Geographers
D. Geologists
E. Historians

13. Objects that have cultural significance to places and people that inhabited them are
A. archaeology       B. artifacts
C. exhibitions         D. models
E. museums

14. The following are sources of history except
A. archaeology
B. government records
C. oral traditions
D. rumours
E. textbooks

15. The major reason for the study of Nigerian history is to
A. benefit from past events
B. promote proper understanding of the country’s past
C. show the origin of the country
D. show the power of past leaders
E. wipe out illiteracy

16. History is an important tool for nation building because it
A. contributes to personal development
B. gives power to rulers
C. makes the society famous
D. promotes understanding between different ethnic groups
E. provides job opportunity

17. The basic difference between history and story-telling is that, history is factual while story-telling can be
A. imaginary         B. inconsistent
C. legendary         D. mythical
E. questionable

18. One of the importance of history as a discipline is that it
A. influences human activities
B. is the mother of all disciplines
C. reconstructs the past events
D. shows the successes of leaders
E. stimulates ideas

19. The major concern of history are past
A. events          B. heroes
C. leaders         D. migrations
E. stories

20. Which of the following is regarded as an original account of the past?
A. Archaeology
B. Eye witness account
C. Government record
D. Legends
E. Myths

21. Nok is located in which state of Nigeria?
A. Bauchi          B. Benue
C. Kaduna         D. Nasarawa
E. Plateau

22. In which of the following areas were terra-cotta sculptures found in large quantities?
A. Benin           B. Daima
C. Ife                D. Igbo-Ukwu
E. Nok

23. The traditional head of Ile-Ife is known as the
A. Alaafin        B. Bashorun
C. Oba            D. Ooni
E. Oyomesi

24. Which of the following archaeologists excavated the Benin artifacts?
A. Bernard Fagg
B. D.D. Hartle
C. Graham Connah
D. Leo Frobenius
E. Thurstan Shaw

25. Ile-Ife is located in present day ______ state
A. Ekiti            B. Lagos
C. Ogun          D. Ondo
E. Osun

26. The Nok terra-cotta sculptures were found in large quantity in
A. Bida            B. Gboko
C. Okene        D. Otukpo
E. Taruga

27. According to Yoruba legend, Oduduwa took over power from
A. Ajaka            B. Labisi
C. Obatala        D. Oranmiyan
E. Sango

28. Ife culture is important because of its terra-cotta and
A. beads
B. bronze heads
C. golden staff
D. hard stones
E. iron tools

29. Ife people built mud houses with ditches around the wall for the purpose of
A. beautification
B. defence
C. drainage
D. warfare
E. water supply

30. Which of the following was classified as centralized state in pre-colonial Nigeria?
A. Benin           B. Ebira
C. Igbo             D. Tiv
E. Urhobo

31. Which of the following was not a centralized state in pre-colonial Nigeria?
A. Benin
B. Kanem-Borno
C. Kwararafa
D. Oyo
E. Tiv

32. Terra-cotta figurines were first discovered in
A. Daima            B. Jema
C. Katsina           D. Taruga
E. Yelwa

33. Benin learnt the art of brass casting from
A. Bida            B. Ife
C. Nok            D. Jebba
E. Igbo Ukwu

34. Benin artworks were looted by the ______ in 1897.
A. British           B. French
C. Germans      D. Italians
E. Portuguese

35. The remnants of Benin inner city wall was built by Oba
A. Akenzua       B. Ewedo
C. Eweka          D. Ewuare
E. Ozolua

36. Which of the following archaeologists excavated the Igbo-Ukwu site?
A. Graham Connah
B. Gustavas Vasta
C. Leo Frobenius
D. Thurstan Shaw
E. Willett Frank

37. The Igbo-Ukwu bronzes contained secured vessels used for
A. casting         B. decoration
C. rituals           D. storage
E. trade

38. The objects found at Igbo-Ukwu site meant that there was an existence of ______ in the area
A. disease            B. infection
C. misfortune      D. poverty
E. wealth

39. Which of the following objects were found at Igbo-Ukwu?
A. Beaded neck
B. Carved wooden doors
C. Complete roped pots
D. Stone axes
E. Terra-cotta sculptures

40. The major deposits of gold in Ghana empire were in
A. Audoghast
B. Kumbi Saleh
C. Sijilmasa
D. Walata
E. Wangara

41. Which of the following products was a major source of wealth to Ghana empire?
A. Gold           B. Horse
C. Leather       D. Salt
E. Slave

42. The capital of Ghana empire was
A. Audoghast
B. Kumasi
C. Kumbi Saleh
D. Walata
E. Wangara

43. The earliest empire that emerged in western Sudan was
A. Benin
B. Ghana
C. Kanem-Borno
D. Mali
E. Songhai

44. What was the major factor responsible for the rise of Ghana empire?
A. Arable land
B. Effective administration
C. Establishment of diplomacy with Arabs
D. Tactical military defence
E. Trans-Saharan trade

45. Ghana empire at its peak operated a ______ system of government
A. centralised
B. monarchical
C. non-centralised
D. parliamentary
E. republican

46. The first capital of Mali empire was
A. Bambuk         B. Gao
C. Niani             D. Takur
E. Zagun

47. The main source of wealth and revenue of the Mali empire was
A. agriculture
B. fishing
C. gold mining
D. salt making
E. trading

48. During the reign of Mansa Musa, Timbuktu became a great centre of commerce and
A. administration
B. agriculture
C. bronze casting
D. craft making
E. learning

49. The official language of Mali empire was
A. Bambara          B. Dogon
C. Fulfulde           D. Mandinka
E. Soninke

50. Which of the following was not a factor that contributed to the rise of Mali empire?
A. Adoption of Islam as a state religion
B. Control of the trans-Saharan trade
C. Favourable political situation
D. Geographical location of the empire
E. Support from Kanem-Borno

51. Sundiata Keita of Mali empire was succeeded by Mansa ______
A. Khalifa         B. Maghan
C. Musa           D. Sakura
E. Wali

52. The following factors contributed to the decline and eventual fall of Mali empire except the
A. attack of the empire by the Portuguese
B. emergence of incompetent rulers
C. expansion of the empire without effective control
D. frequent succession dispute that took place in the empire
E. revolt against the empire by vassal states

53. Which of the following was the last empire to emerge in Western Sudan?
A. Benin           B. Ghana
C. Mali             D. Oyo
E. Songhai

54. Songhai empire was established by..
A. Askia Ishaq
B. Askia Musa
C. Mohammed Toure
D. Sonni Ali
E. Sonni Baru

55. The last emperor that ruled Songhai empire was
A. Askia Daoud
B. Askia Ishaq
C. Askia Ismail
D. Mohammed Toure
E. Sonni Baru

56. Before her final collapse, the Songhai empire was ruled by ______ dynasties
A. two          B. three
C. four         D. five
E. six

57. During the reign of Sonni Ali, the capital of Songhai empire was
A. Gao          B. Jenne
C. Niani        D. Taghaza
E. Timbuktu

58. The final collapse of the Songhai empire was a result of
A. absence of a ruler between 1583 and 1588AD
B. civil war within the empire
C. coups after the death of Askia Mohammed
D. invasion of the empire by Moroccan army
E. rebellion from vassal states

59. In order to ensure effective administrative control, Mohammed Toure divided the empire into ______ provinces
A. four         B. five
C. six            D. seven
E. eight

60. During the reign of Sonni Ali, the prime minister of Songhai empire was
A. Askia Daoud
B. Askia Ishaq
C. Mohammed Musa
D. Mohammed Toure
E. Sonni Baru

PAPER II

1. The term centralized society refers to
A. autonomous communities
B. autonomous region within a kingdom
C. large political units led by a single ruler
D. provincial units led by chiefs
E. territorial areas administered by vassal chiefs

2. Pre-colonial centralized states owe their emergence to
A. availability of arable agricultural lands
B. concentration of mineral resources
C. emergence of able and energetic leaders
D. emergence of wealthy individuals
E. geographical location

3. The Saifawa dynasty ruled in
A. Benin
B. Ghana
C. Kanem-Borno
D. Mali
E. Songhai

4. The expansion and development of Kanem-Borno as a centralized state was as a result of the introduction of
A. caravan trade
B. foreign culture
C. Islam
D. powerful rulers
E. war tactics

5. The head of the pre-colonial Oyo administration was the
A. Alaafin
B. Are-Ona Kakanfo
C. Arole
D. Bashorun
E. Oyo-mesi

6. The ruler at the centre of government in pre-colonial Ile-Ife was the
A. Kabiyesi         B. Oba
C. Oduaye          D. Ooni
E. Orisa

7. Which of the Yoruba towns in pre-colonial Nigeria had no standing army?
A. Egbaland        B. Ekiti
C. Ibadan            D. Ife
E. Osogbo

8. The smallest socio-political unit in pre-colonial Igbo society was the
A. household
B. lineage assembly
C. sub-lineage
D. village assembly
E. village group

9. Which of the following groups carried out public work in pre-colonial Igbo society?
A. Age grade
B. Council of elders
C. Secret societies
D. Title holders
E. Village heads

10. The ‘nsibidi’ writing is associated with the
A. Ibibio           B. Igbo
C. Ijaw              D. Itsekiri
E. Urhobo

11. During the pre-colonial period, the Ekpe society was an important commercial organ among the
A. Efik            B. Ibibio
C. Igbo          D. Ijaw
E. Itsekiri

12. Which of the following groups controlled commercial activities in pre-colonial Igbo society?
A. Age grade
B. Council of elders
C. Ofo title holders
D. Secret societies
E. The Arochukwu

13. During the Atlantic slave trade, the Efik and Ibibio operated as
A. guards          B. interpreters
C. soldiers        D. middlemen
E. traders

14. Which of the following people developed a centralized state during the pre-colonial era? The
A. Birom          B. Efik
C. Ibibio          D. Igbo
E. Jukun

15. The following were the ways through which pre-colonial Nigeria societies related except
A. marriages
B. pilgrimages
C. politics
D. trade
E. wars

16. A major platform for inter-group relations in pre-colonial Nigeria was
A. festival            B. market
C. marriage         D. politics
E. warfare

17. Islam was introduced to Hausaland by the
A. Berbers           B. Bulalas
C. Nomads          D. Shuwa Arabs
E. Wangarawas

18. The basis of relationship between Igbo and Niger Delta city states was more of ______ in nature
A. social               B. cultural
C. political           D. spiritual
E. commercial

19. The Edi festival is celebrated in
A. Abeokuta          B. Benin
C. Ijebu-Ode         D. Ile-Ife
E. Oyo

20. The basis of relationship between Kanem-Borno empire and Hausa city states were religion, trade and
A. diplomacy        B. education
C. ideology           D. marriage
E. war tactics

21. Which of the following groups had no centralized government in pre-colonial Nigeria? The
A. Hausa         B. Igala
C. Ijaw.            D. Nupe
E. Yoruba

22. The pre-colonial Igbo society exchanged their farm products for ______ with their Ijaw neighbours
A. cassava
B. fish
C. palm oil
D. vegetable
E. yam

23. In colonial Northern Nigeria, the District officer supervised the
A. Alkalis          B. Emirs
C. Ma’ajis         D. Scholars
E. Waziris

24. The ‘paramount chiefs’ created by Fredrick Lugard operated in ______ Nigeria
A. Eastern
B. North-central
C. Northern
D. Southern
E. Western

25. In 1890, Fredrick Lugard was appointed the ______ of Northern Nigeria
A. District officer
B. Governor General
C. High commissioner
D. Secretary General
E. Vice Consul

26. The British Colonial government has its headquarters in
A. Bida          B. Jebba
C. Kabba       D. Kontagora
E. Zungeru

27. The motion for Nigerian independence was first moved in
A. 1953         B. 1955
C. 1957         D. 1959
E. 1960

28. As the Head of State in 1960, Nnamdi Azikiwe was a representative of the
A. British prime minister
B. Chairman of the Organisation of Africa Unity
C. President of America
D. Queen of England
E. Secretary General of the United Nations

29. At independence, the Governor General of Nigeria was
A. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
B. Ahmadu Bello
C. Anthony Enahoro
D. Nnamdi Azikiwe
E. Obafemi Awolowo

30. On 1st January 1900, the protectorate of Northern Nigeria was under the direct administration of…
A. Lord Lugard
B. The British
C. The Emirs
D. The Mais
E. Uthman dan Fodio

31. The Colony of Lagos and the Oil Rivers Protectorate were amalgamated in
A. 1850          B. 1861
C. 1905          D. 1906
E. 1914

32. The last territory of Nigeria to be conquered by the British in 1903 before the amalgamation was
A. Daura          B. Kano
C. Kebbi          D. Sokoto
E. Zaria

33. Which of the following groups of people did not contribute to the processes of amalgamation of Nigeria?
A. British Merchants
B. Colonial Administrators
C. European Explorers
D. European Missionaries
E. Nigerian Traditional Rulers

34. British firms that operated on the Niger were organized into a chartered company in 1886 by
A. Fredrick Lugard
B. John Holt
C. Mungo Park
D. Taubman Goldie
E. Vernon Harcourt

35. The process of amalgamation of Nigerian territories was completed in
A. 1861         B. 1900
C. 1905         D. 1906
E. 1914

36. The amalgamation of Nigeria was initiated by
A. Fredrick Lugard
B. Hugh Clapperton
C. Mungo Park
D. Richard Lander
E. Taubman Goldie

37. The protectorate of Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated in the year
A. 1861         B. 1900
C. 1906         D. 1914
E. 1922

38. At independence, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was elected as the ______ of Nigeria
A. Governor General
B. President
C. Prime Minister
D. Secretary General
E. Senate President

39. The term ‘nationalism’ refers to
A. ideas of economic importance to a nation
B. individual sovereignty within a nation
C. supreme power of a nation
D. the freedom of an individual in public service
E. the idea which promotes the interest in a nation’s freedom

40. Which of the following cultural organizations gave birth to the Action Group?
A. Egbe Omo Oduduwa
B. Egbesu
C. Jam’iyyar Mutanen Arewa
D. Ohaneze Ndi Igbo
E. Ombatse

41. The following were the newspapers used by the Nationalists in pursuit of independence except the
A. Daily Trust
B. Lagos Daily News
C. Lagos Weekly Record
D. Nigerian Tribune
E. West African Pilot

42. Nigerian trade unions were united in the struggle for independence under the leadership of
A. Gambo Sawaba
B. Jaja Wachukwu
C. Joseph Tarka
D. Margaret Ekpo
E. Micheal Imoudu

43. Which of the following personalities gave a strong support to the Nigerian Youth Movement?
A. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
B. Ahmadu Bello
C. Herbert Macaulay
D. Nnamdi Azikiwe
E. Obafemi Awolowo

44. The first motion for Nigerian independence was moved by
A. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
B. Aminu Kano
C. Anthony Enahoro
D. Herbert Macaulay
E. Nnamdi Azikiwe

45. Nigeria got her independent in 1960 and became a republic in
A. 1961          B. 1962
C. 1963          D. 1964
E. 1965

46. The following cities served as “supply stations” to trans-Saharan traders except
A. Rano          B. Sijilmassa
C. Tibesti        D. Timbuktu
E. Walata

47. The following were the factors that contributed to the decline of the trans-Saharan trade except
A. advancement in maritime
B. Almoravid’s invasion of Ghana
C. exploration activities of the Portuguese
D. introduction of Islam
E. unrest along trade routes

48. Which of the following cities was a southern terminus of the trans-Saharan trade routes?
A. Jenne
B. Kanem-Borno
C. Kumbi Saleh
D. Timbuktu
E. Tripoli

49. The commodity in high demand during the trans-Sahara trade was
A. gold           B. horses
C. ivory           D. salt
E. slaves

50. Which of the following was not the responsibility of the Berbers during the trans-Saharan trade?
A. Location of pasture areas
B. Protection of caravans from attacks
C. Provision of articles of trade
D. Provision of information on weather conditions
E. Serving as guides to traders

51. Trans-Saharan trade refers to trade across the
A. atlantic         B. desert
C. forest            D. sahel
E. savanna

52. Which of these Portuguese explorers reached Lagos by 1475?
A. Fredrick Luagrd
B. John Lander
C. Prince Henry
D. Richard Lander
E. Walter Oudney

53. The Yoruba newspaper, ‘Iwe Irohin’ was established in
A. 1853          B. 1854
C. 1856          D. 1857
E. 1859

54. The first mission station in Nigeria was situated in
A. Ibadan         B. Badagry
C. Epe              D. Abeokuta
E. Ikorodu

55. The demands for West African slaves during the trans-Atlantic slave trade was a result of the
A. discovery of sea route to India
B. discovery of sugar cane plantation
C. discovery of the New World
D. harsh weather condition in Europe
E. industrial revolution in Europe

56. During the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Portuguese established a commercial base at
A. Akassa           B. Bonny
C. Calabar          D. Ughoton
E. Warri

57. The mouth of River Niger was discovered in 1830 by
A. Dixon Denhan
B. Hugh Clapperton
C. Mungo Park
D. Richard Lander
E. Walter Oudney

58. Mungo Park’s Niger expedition of 1795 set off from
A. Bambuk            B. Dakar
C. Gambia            D. Segu
E. Timbuktu

59. The negative impact of the Atlantic slave trade on Nigeria was the
A. de-population of the workforce
B. exchange of ideas
C. exploitation of labour force
D. importation of foreign goods
E. introduction of international trade

60. The British conquest of Nigeria started with the
A. amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914
B. annexation of Lagos in 1861
C. bombardment of Lagos in 1852
D. establishment of the Oil Rivers Protectorate in 1885
E. revocation of the Royal Niger Company’s Charter in 1899

Answers to JSS 3 NECO BECE 2026 Questions and Answers History

Answers to BECE History PAPER I

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective questions in Paper I of JSS3 NECO BECE 2026 for History. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view. Remember to use the comments section if you need further clarification of any question.

Answers to BECE History PAPER II

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective questions in Paper II of JSS3 NECO BECE 2026 for History. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view. Remember to use the comments section if you need further clarification of any question.

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