The appointment, promotion and discipline of civil servants is the responsibility of the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which body is responsible for three personnel functions in the civil service: appointment, promotion and discipline of civil servants.

Step 2: Explain the concept In Nigeria, different commissions handle different public-sector duties:

• Civil Service Commission (Federal or State): Handles the recruitment (appointment), promotion and discipline of civil servants. It is the body that manages personnel matters in the civil service.
• Public Complaints Commission: The ombudsman. It investigates complaints from citizens about injustice or maladministration by public bodies. It does not hire or fire civil servants.
• Judicial Service Commission: Handles the appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial officers (such as judges and court staff), not civil servants.
• Public Service Institute of Nigeria: A training institution that builds the capacity of public servants through courses and workshops. It has no power over appointments or discipline.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• B is wrong because its role is handling citizens' complaints.
• C is wrong because it deals with the judiciary.
• D is wrong because it only provides training.
• A matches all three functions in the question.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is A. Civil Service Commission.

Tip: Match each commission to the group of workers it serves:

• Civil Service Commission → civil servants
• Judicial Service Commission → judges and judicial staff
• Police Service Commission → police
• Public Complaints Commission → citizens' complaints

If the question says "appointment, promotion and discipline," ask yourself whose staff are being managed.