An institution under the executive arm of government responsible for formulating and implementing government policies is the ________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the institution under the executive arm of government that is responsible for formulating and implementing government policies.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Executive arm: the branch of government that carries out and administers laws and policies. It is made up of the President or Governor, ministers, and the civil servants who help them.
• Public service: a broad term for all workers employed by government at every level. It includes the civil service, the armed forces, the police, the judiciary staff, and public corporations.
• Public corporation: a government-owned business or enterprise set up to provide goods and services, such as NNPC or NEPA (now the electricity distribution companies). Its job is to run an enterprise, not to formulate government policy.
• Civil service: the permanent, non-political administrative body in the ministries and departments. It advises ministers on policy, helps to formulate it, and carries it out.
• Judicial service: the staff of the courts, which belong to the judiciary arm. They interpret the law, so they do not belong to the executive.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Public service is too broad, because it covers workers in all arms of government, not only the executive.
• B. Public corporation is incorrect, because it is a commercial or service enterprise.
• C. Civil service is correct, because it sits within the executive arm and works in the ministries to help formulate and implement government policies.
• D. Judicial service belongs to the judiciary, not the executive.

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

Exam tip: Link each institution to its arm of government. Executive goes with the civil service, legislature goes with the National Assembly and its staff, and judiciary goes with the courts. Also remember that "public service" is the umbrella term, while "civil service" is the narrower body working in the ministries under the executive.