(a) What are the major differences between the... | WAEC SSCE - Government - 1988

Question 1 Report

(a) What are the major differences between the civil service and public service?

(b) Discuss the main criticisms against the Nigerian civil service.

Answer

(a) Major differences between the civil service and the public service.

Civil service	Public service
It is the body of career officials who work in the ministries and departments of the central and state governments.	It is the wider body that includes all persons employed to render service to the public, of which the civil service is only a part.
Its members are called civil servants.	Its members are called public servants or public officers.
It is narrower in scope, covering only the ministries and their departments.	It is broader, covering the civil service plus public corporations, parastatals, the police, armed forces, teaching service, judiciary and local government service.
It is directly under the control of ministers and the head of service.	Different segments are controlled by different boards, commissions and authorities.

In short, every civil servant is a public servant, but not every public servant is a civil servant.

(b) Main criticisms against the Nigerian civil service.

Corruption: Bribery, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds are widespread.
Red-tapism and delay: Excessive bureaucratic procedures and "official channels" cause needless delay in getting things done.
Inefficiency and low productivity: Poor motivation, inadequate tools and idleness result in low output.
Nepotism and favouritism: Recruitment and promotion are often influenced by ethnic, political or family connections rather than merit.
Politicisation: Undue political interference undermines the neutrality and permanence of the service.
Poor attitude to work: Lateness, absenteeism and indifference to the public are common complaints.
Over-bloated size: The service is overstaffed, making the wage bill heavy and control difficult.

Answer Details

(a) Major differences between the civil service and the public service.

Civil service	Public service
It is the body of career officials who work in the ministries and departments of the central and state governments.	It is the wider body that includes all persons employed to render service to the public, of which the civil service is only a part.
Its members are called civil servants.	Its members are called public servants or public officers.
It is narrower in scope, covering only the ministries and their departments.	It is broader, covering the civil service plus public corporations, parastatals, the police, armed forces, teaching service, judiciary and local government service.
It is directly under the control of ministers and the head of service.	Different segments are controlled by different boards, commissions and authorities.

In short, every civil servant is a public servant, but not every public servant is a civil servant.

(b) Main criticisms against the Nigerian civil service.

Corruption: Bribery, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds are widespread.
Red-tapism and delay: Excessive bureaucratic procedures and "official channels" cause needless delay in getting things done.
Inefficiency and low productivity: Poor motivation, inadequate tools and idleness result in low output.
Nepotism and favouritism: Recruitment and promotion are often influenced by ethnic, political or family connections rather than merit.
Politicisation: Undue political interference undermines the neutrality and permanence of the service.
Poor attitude to work: Lateness, absenteeism and indifference to the public are common complaints.
Over-bloated size: The service is overstaffed, making the wage bill heavy and control difficult.

(a) What are the major differences between the civil service and public service? (b) Discuss the main criticisms against the Nigerian civil service.