The civil service in Nigeria operates under the principle of

1. Analyze the question The question asks which principle guides how the civil service in Nigeria operates. The civil service is the permanent body of non-political workers who carry out government policies and run ministries and departments.

2. Explain the concept Nigeria's civil service is built on several features:

• Neutrality (impartiality): civil servants serve any government in power without political bias.
• Anonymity: civil servants are not publicly credited or blamed for government decisions. Ministers take responsibility.
• Permanence of tenure: they stay in service regardless of changes in government.
• Meritocracy: recruitment and promotion are based on qualifications, ability and performance, not on political connections.

3. Evaluate the options

• A. Autonomy: The civil service is not fully autonomous. It is answerable to the executive through ministers and the Head of Service.
• B. Separation of powers: This is a principle that divides government into the executive, legislature and judiciary. It describes how the arms of government relate to each other, not how the civil service operates.
• C. None of the above: Not correct, because one option fits.
• D. Meritocracy: Appointments and promotions rest on merit, qualifications and experience. This matches the standard textbook description of the civil service, and it also reflects the Federal Character principle's emphasis on competence (alongside balanced representation).

4. Answer The correct option is D. meritocracy.

5. Exam tip Remember the civil service by "NAP-M": Neutrality, Anonymity, Permanence, Meritocracy. If a question asks about the civil service, think of these four. If it asks about "separation of powers", think of the three arms of government (executive, legislature, judiciary).