A permanent structure that facilitates continuity in governance is the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which institution is permanent and ensures continuity in governance, meaning government work carries on smoothly even when political leaders change through elections, coups, or resignations.

Step 2: Explain the concept In Government, the civil service is the body of full-time, career, non-political public servants who carry out government policies and run the ministries and departments. Its key features are:

• Permanence: civil servants hold tenure until retirement and do not leave office when a government changes.
• Neutrality: they serve any government in power, regardless of party.
• Anonymity: ministers take public credit or blame, while civil servants work behind the scenes.

When a new President, Governor, or Minister comes in, the civil service keeps the records, procedures, and institutional memory. It briefs the new leaders and continues to implement policies. This is what is meant by continuity in governance.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Military: Its role is defence and security. It is not the structure that administers government policy, and in Nigeria it has at times taken over government rather than ensuring continuity.
• B. Public corporations: These are government-owned enterprises that provide specific services (e.g., NNPC, NEPA/PHCN). They are not the main administrative machinery of government.
• C. Judiciary: It interprets laws and settles disputes. It is a permanent arm of government, but its function is adjudication, not the day-to-day administration that sustains governance.
• D. Civil service: It is permanent, non-partisan, and carries out government policy across changes of administration. ✔

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. civil service.

Exam tip: Whenever you see the keywords "permanent," "continuity," "neutral," or "implements government policies," think civil service. Remember it as: "Politicians come and go, but the civil service stays."