The characteristics of the Civil Servants which prevent its officers from addressing the press unless directed is known as ________

1. Analyze the question The question asks for the characteristic of the civil service that stops civil servants from speaking to the press (publicly) unless they are directed to do so.

2. Explain the concept The civil service in Nigeria is built on certain principles:

• Impartiality: Civil servants must treat all citizens and groups fairly, without bias.
• Neutrality: Civil servants stay out of partisan politics and serve any government in power, whatever the party.
• Anonymity: Civil servants work behind the scenes. They do not take public credit or blame for government policies. The minister (the political head) is the public face and answers for the ministry. So civil servants do not speak to the press or publicly defend policies unless authorised.
• Impersonality: Decisions are made according to rules and regulations, not personal feelings or relationships.

3. Step-by-step solution

• Key phrase: "prevent its officers from addressing the press unless directed". This is about not being publicly visible or speaking publicly.
• Impartiality is about fairness, so it does not fit.
• Neutrality is about politics, so it does not fit.
• Impersonality is about applying rules objectively, so it does not fit.
• Anonymity means the officer remains unnamed and unseen publicly, while the minister speaks for the ministry. This fits.

4. Answer The correct option is C. anonymity.

5. Exam tip Link each principle to one keyword:

• Impartiality = fairness
• Neutrality = non-partisan
• Anonymity = unseen and unheard (no press, minister takes the credit and blame)
• Impersonality = rules, not feelings