SS2 First Term Government Lesson Note – Civil Service

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WEEK 8

TOPIC: CIVIL SERVICE

CONTENT:  

(a) Meaning of civil service.

(b) Characteristics of the civil service.

(c) Functions of the civil service.

(d) Structure of the civil service–(i) Administrative/professional (ii) Executive (iii) Clerical etc.

(e) Honesty Integrity.

Sub-Topic 1: MEANING OF CIVIL SERVICE:

The civil service is the administrative area of the executive organ of government responsible for formulation and execution of government policies.

The civil service and its workers known as civil servants perform purely administrative and executive functions which entail formulating and implementing government policies. The departments in civil service are ministries headed by ministers or commissioners who serve as both the political and executive heads. The armed forces, the police public corporations and governmental owned companies are not included in the service but are collectively called public service and their workers including the civil servants are called the public servants. In Nigeria, there are federal and state civil services, with each state in Nigeria having its own.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

• Permanence: The civil service is essentially a permanent government institution that does not change with the government that creates it. Its workers also enjoy secure appointments.
• Neutrality: The civil service and its workers (the civil servants) are politically neutral. They are not expected to participate in partisan politics unless they resign their appointment.
• Anonymity: The civil servants are anonymous. They are therefore seen but do not speak to the press or disclose official secrets unless the minister authorized them to do so. They are not held responsible for any of their actions as it affects the government. Only the ministers and commissioners are answerable for the actions of the civil service.
• Impartiality: The civil service and the civil servants are expected to serve any government or political party in power without fear or favour, without allowing their political interest beclouds their faithfulness.
• Expertise: The civil servants are expected to be experts in the functions they perform. They therefore supposed to have a good measure of knowledge and intelligence.

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