The appointment of top civil servants is a function of the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which arm or body of government is responsible for appointing top civil servants, such as Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General.

Step 2: Explain the concept Government in Nigeria is split into three arms:

• Legislature: makes laws (National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly).
• Executive: implements and administers laws and runs the day-to-day affairs of government.
• Judiciary: interprets laws and settles disputes.

The civil service is the permanent administrative machinery of the executive arm. Civil servants carry out government policies. Because of this, top civil servants are appointed through the executive, by the President at the federal level or by the Governor at the state level. In practice, the Federal Civil Service Commission, which is an executive body, handles appointments, promotions, and discipline.

Step 3: Go through the options

• A. Legislature: It may screen or confirm certain appointees, such as ministers and ambassadors, but it does not appoint civil servants.
• B. Judiciary: It appoints its own staff, but not the civil service.
• C. Executive: It appoints, posts, and disciplines top civil servants. ✔
• D. Party caucus: This is an informal party grouping and has no constitutional power to appoint civil servants.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. executive.

Exam tip: Remember that the civil service is the "working arm" of the executive. Any question on appointing, posting, or disciplining civil servants points to the executive. The legislature makes laws, the judiciary interprets them, and the executive carries them out through the civil service.