The institution established by the constitution to be responsible for recruiting personnel into the civil service is the ___________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which body the constitution created to recruit personnel (hire staff) into the civil service.

Step 2: Explain the concept In Nigeria, the civil service is the permanent, non-political arm of government that carries out government policies. The 1999 Constitution (Third Schedule) sets up bodies to handle appointments, promotions, and discipline in the public service:

• Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC): recruits, promotes, and disciplines federal civil servants.
• State Civil Service Commissions: do the same at state level.
• The general term for such bodies is Public Service Commission, which has the constitutional role of appointing, promoting, and disciplining public/civil servants.

Step 3: Eliminate the wrong options

• A. Personnel management office: this is an administrative unit within a ministry or agency. It handles staff matters but is not a constitutional body.
• B. Office of the president: this is the executive's administrative office, not a recruiting commission.
• C. National Labour Commission: this handles labour disputes and trade union matters, not recruitment.
• D. Public Service Commission: this is the constitutionally established body for recruiting, promoting, and disciplining civil servants.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **D.

Exam tip: Remember the three functions of the service commission: Hire, Promote, Discipline. If a question mentions appointment, promotion, or discipline of civil servants, think "Civil/Public Service Commission."