The SSS 2 Government scheme of work contained in this article stretches across three terms to cover the evolution of political systems, from the electoral process to the impact of nationalism.
Over the course of the academic year, you explore key historical and modern topics, including colonialism, constitutional development, and public administration.
Each term presents you with new layers of understanding, giving you a well-rounded view of governance and political structures.
The recommended textbooks provides in-depth discussions and examples to help clarify the key topics.
SSS 2 GOVERNMENT First Term Scheme of Work
Week 1: Electoral Process: Franchise
- Definition and types of franchise (universal suffrage, restricted suffrage)
- Historical development of franchise in Nigeria
- Conditions for exercising franchise in democratic societies
Week 2: Electoral System
- Types of electoral systems: First-past-the-post, proportional representation, mixed systems
- Merits and demerits of each system
- Electoral system used in Nigeria and its implications for democracy
Week 3: Election
- Definition of elections and their importance in a democratic government
- Types of elections: General, by-elections, referendum
- Challenges of conducting free and fair elections in Nigeria
Week 4: Electoral Commission
- Definition and functions of electoral commissions
- Structure and composition of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- Roles of electoral commissions in ensuring free and fair elections
Week 5: Public Administration (I): Civil Service
- Definition and importance of civil service
- Characteristics of civil servants
- Structure of civil service in Nigeria
Week 6: Public Administration (II): Civil Service Commission
- Role of the Civil Service Commission in Nigeria
- Functions and powers of the commission
- Recruitment, training, and discipline of civil servants
Week 7: Mid-Term Break
Week 8: Public Administration (III): Public Corporation
- Definition and purpose of public corporations
- Features of public corporations in Nigeria
- Examples of public corporations: NNPC, PHCN, NPA
Week 9: Public Corporation: Control of Public Corporation and Problems
- Mechanisms for controlling public corporations
- Problems faced by public corporations in Nigeria
- Solutions to the problems of public corporations
Week 10: State and Federal System of Government
- Definition and features of a federal system of government
- Comparison between federal and unitary systems of government
- Structure of federalism in Nigeria
Week 11: Revision
Week 12: Examination
Week 13: Closing
SSS 2 GOVERNMENT Second Term Scheme of Work
Week 1: Pre-Colonial Political System in Nigeria: Hausa/Fulani
- The centralized system of government in Hausa/Fulani society
- Roles of the Emir, the council of elders, and other officials
- The relationship between Islam and political administration
Week 2: Pre-Colonial Political System in Nigeria: Igbo
- The decentralized political system of the Igbo people
- The role of village assemblies, age grades, and titled men
- The absence of kingship and how decisions were made
Week 3: Pre-Colonial Political System in Nigeria: Yoruba land
- The Oba (king) and his role in Yoruba society
- The functions of chiefs and the council of elders
- The division of power between the Oba and subordinate chiefs
Week 4: Colonial Administration in West Africa
- The objectives of colonial administration in West Africa
- Comparison of colonial administration systems in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone
- The role of colonial governors and their powers
Week 5: The Indirect Rule in Nigeria
- Definition and objectives of the Indirect Rule system
- Application of indirect rule in Northern and Southern Nigeria
- Problems and consequences of indirect rule in Nigeria
Week 6: French Colonial Policy in West Africa
- The assimilation and association policies of the French
- How French colonial policies differed from British policies
- Impact of French colonial policies on local traditions and governance
Week 7: Mid-Term Break
Week 8: The Effect of Colonialism on West African People
- Social, economic, and political impacts of colonialism in West Africa
- Colonial exploitation and the introduction of cash crops
- Changes in the traditional governance systems
Week 9: Comparison of British and French Colonial Policies in West Africa
- Differences and similarities in British and French approaches
- Influence of British and French policies on education, politics, and religion
- The lasting effects of these policies on West African countries
Week 10: Nationalism in West Africa
- Definition and causes of nationalism in West Africa
- Key nationalist leaders in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal
- How nationalism contributed to the struggle for independence
Week 11: Revision
Week 12: Examination
Week 13: Closing
SSS 2 GOVERNMENT Third Term Scheme of Work
Week 1: Nationalism in Nigeria
- The rise of Nigerian nationalism and its driving factors
- Contributions of Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo
- Role of political parties in the nationalist movement
Week 2: Effects of Nationalism in Nigeria
- The political, social, and economic effects of nationalism
- How nationalism led to the growth of political consciousness
- Nationalism as a precursor to Nigerian independence
Week 3: Constitution Development in Nigeria
- Overview of constitutional developments from 1922 to 1960
- Factors that influenced constitutional changes
- The role of British colonial authorities in Nigeria’s constitutional development
Week 4: Clifford Constitution of 1922
- Key features and provisions of the Clifford Constitution
- Merits and demerits of the Clifford Constitution
- Significance of the first legislative council introduced by this constitution
Week 5: Richard Constitution of 1946
- Objectives and features of the Richard Constitution
- Regional councils and the division of powers
- Shortcomings of the Richard Constitution
Week 6: MacPherson Constitution of 1951
- Key features of the MacPherson Constitution
- Introduction of federalism and its implications for Nigeria
- Strengths and weaknesses of the MacPherson Constitution
Week 7: Mid-Term Break
Week 8: Oliver Lyttleton Constitution of 1954
- The significance of the Oliver Lyttleton Constitution in Nigeria’s federal structure
- Creation of regions and allocation of powers
- Criticisms of the Oliver Lyttleton Constitution
Week 9: The Independence Constitution of 1960
- Features of Nigeria’s first independent constitution
- Powers and functions of the President, Prime Minister, and Governor-General
- Merits and demerits of the 1960 constitution
Week 10: The 1979 Constitution
- Overview of the 1979 Constitution: Presidential system of government
- Differences between the 1960 and 1979 constitutions
- Significance of the 1979 Constitution in Nigeria’s political evolution
Week 11: Revision
Week 12: Examination
Week 13: Closing
SSS 2 GOVERNMENT Recommended Textbook
- Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools by C.C. Dibie
- Comprehensive Government for Senior Secondary Schools by J.U. Anyaele
- Understanding Government by O.A. Adeyemi
RECAP
In SSS 2 Government, you begin with a thorough understanding of the electoral process, election, and the role of the electoral commission.
You explore public administration, focusing on the civil service and the challenges facing public corporations.
By the second term, you delve into pre-colonial political systems in Nigeria, colonial administration, and the effects of colonialism on West Africa.
The third term then leads you through Nigeria’s constitutional development, covering everything from the Clifford Constitution of 1922 to the 1979 Constitution.
DISCLAIMER: Everything on this page is based on our research of what is obtainable for schools in all the states in the country, including government and some private schools. Schemes of work normally undergo a series of reviews and some schools modify them to suit their specific needs.
While we do all our possible best to keep up with the latest and approved schemes of work in the country, check the specific template your school uses. For example, some private secondary schools integrate the British curriculum. If you teach in such schools, expect to see slight changes to what we offer on this page. If you have any questions or require personalised support, kindly feel free to contact us.
