A citizen is barred from active politics when employed as a

Analyze the question: It asks which occupation bars a citizen from taking part in active (partisan) politics.

Concept: In Nigeria, civil servants must be politically neutral. They implement government policies no matter which party is in power, and the Public Service Rules and the Code of Conduct forbid them from active partisan politics. A civil servant cannot join a political party, campaign for a candidate, or contest an election while still in service. To run for office, they must first resign or retire.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. University lecturer: Lecturers may belong to political parties, and many have contested elections or served as ministers, usually after taking leave or resigning. They are not barred outright.
• B. Priest: Priests are not legally barred from politics. Some religious bodies discourage partisan involvement, but this is not a rule of the state.
• C. Civil servant: The civil service is a neutral, permanent body, so its members are barred from partisan politics. This matches the question.
• D. Journalist: Journalists are free to take part in politics, and the media is meant to be a watchdog. No law bars them.

Answer: The correct option is C. civil servant.

Tip: Remember the civil service principles of anonymity, neutrality, and permanence. If a question asks who is banned from partisan politics, think "civil servant" (and also members of the armed forces and police).