Which state institution is referred to as the bureaucratic wing responsible for the running of government offices, agencies and departments?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the state institution known as the bureaucratic wing of government. It is responsible for running government offices, agencies and departments (ministries).

Step 2: Explain the concept Government has three main organs: the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The Executive makes policy. The Civil Service is the permanent, professional, non-political body of workers that carries out those policies and administers day-to-day government business.

Key features of the Civil Service:

• Permanence: civil servants stay in office even when governments change.
• Neutrality (anonymity): they serve any government without taking political sides.
• Merit-based recruitment: they are hired on qualifications and experience.
• Hierarchy: they are organized in ranks, from Permanent Secretary down to clerical staff. This structure is what "bureaucracy" means.

In Nigeria, each ministry is headed politically by a Minister (or a Commissioner at state level). The Permanent Secretary, a civil servant, runs the ministry administratively.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Bureau of National Affairs: not a recognized institution in Nigerian government.
• B. Civil Service: this is the bureaucracy that runs ministries, departments and agencies. ✔
• C. Controller of state services: not a recognized institution either.
• D. Public services board: this is a body that may handle appointments and discipline in the public service, but it is not the bureaucratic wing itself.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. Civil Service.

Exam tip: When you see the word "bureaucracy" or "bureaucratic" in a Government question, think Civil Service. Remember the keywords: permanent, neutral, anonymous, merit-based.