WEEK EIGHT

PUBLIC SERVICE(2)
 Lesson Objectives: At
Date: Thursday, 15th Topic: Public Service the end of the
June, 2023 2 lesson, I should be
able to:

explain the
structure of the
Public Service.

discuss the
functions of the
Public Service.

Outline some
shortcomings in
the Public
Service.
Project (5 minutes)
The level of insecurity and moral degradation is alarming in Nigeria. As
such, many people sort to seek greener pasture and had become
victims of trafficking in their quest. Thus, you are to:
 explore the meaning of human trafficking
 discuss the causes of human trafficking.
 discuss the roles of individuals and government in stopping human
trafficking.
 discuss the roles of the agencies in fighting human trafficking.
Submission, week 9 and presentation week 10.
 Homework

With at least five points,

explore ways of improving
the public service in Nigeria.
 References
Bounty Civic Education for Senior
Secondary Schools, pages 254-256.

Essential Civic Education for SSS,

page 138-139.
 REVIEW OF LAST LESSON
Public Service are duties
provided or supported
by the government to
supply commodity,
render essential
service and implement
public
programmes/policies
for the benefit of the
citizens.
…any previous knowledge?

…structure of
the Public
Service?
 STARTER

Form a word with each

letters of the word
STRUCTURE.
 Correction (Starter)
S_ stand
T_ truth
R_ real
U_ universal
C_ Complete
T_ tower
U_ useful
R_ remnant
E- excellence
 STRUCTURE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
The public service is
structured into classes. Using
Nigeria as an example, it is
headed by Ministers at the
federal level and
Commissioners at the state
level. This heads are political
appointees. In other countries
of the world, the ministers are
called secretaries’.e.g. USA.
The classes are as follows;
1. Clerical and Messengers Class: this
class is the lowest in the public service.
It is made up of clerks, messengers,
drivers, security guards, cleaners etc.
Qualification: Secondary School
certificate(SSCE).
Functions:
a. Keeping official records and
collecting data.
b. Going on errands for superordinate.
c. Assisting other officers in
administrative and professional
class.
2. Secretarial and Computer operator
class: the secretarial class was formerly
known as the Typist class but was change
due to the development in ICT.
they include confidential secretaries 1 &
2 and other computer operators.
Qualification: Computer
diploma/certificate, London Pitman
certificate etc. They could be employed
directly or by promotion from lower
level.
Functions:
a. Typing of official documents.
b. Managing offices of senior officials.
c. Using shorthand writing to take
minutes.
3. Executive class: this class is a middle level
class in the public service. It comprises of
the Assistant Executive Officers, Executive
officers, Senior Executive Officers, Higher
Executive Officers, Principal Executive
Officers.
Qualification: National Diploma(ND), OND,
other basic professional qualification. They
could be employed directly or by promotion
from lower level.
Functions:
a. Controlling and supervising the activities of
subordinate workers.
b. Investigating and making decisions on
pertinent issues.
c. Assist in general administration.
d. Assist in implementation of government
policies.
4. Administrative Class: this is the entry
level class for graduate officers. It
includes, Administrative Officer 1 & 2,
Senior Administrative Officer, Chief
Administrative Officer.
Qualification: university degree,
polytechnic Higher National Diploma and
chartered professionals from ICAN,
ANAN, etc.
Functions:
1. Managing and supervising
government policies and programme.
2. Giving advice to the Directors and
Minister on important policy issues.
3. Co-ordinating the activities of other
classes.
5. Professional Class: Professional
class almost the same as the
Administrative class. It comprise of
medical doctors, engineers,
accountants, architects, lawyers etc.
Qualification: university degree and
other professional certification.
Functions:
1. Directing and supervising the
technical class.
2. Providing professional advice to
the political and administrative
class.
3. Administering sections or
departments of the political class.
6. Technical Class: this class is made up
of technicians who are meant to
provide support to the professional
class. They include, electricians,
plumbers, laboratory assistants,
carpenters, bricklayers, mechanics,
nurses etc.
Qualification: polytechnic national
diploma, trade test, nurses, certificate
etc.
Functions:
1. Execution of government technical
projects.
2. Provision of middle level advice to
the professional class.
 Group Work 10
minutes

Explore at least three

functions of the public
service.
 FUNCTIONS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
1. Implementation of policies.
2. Records and document
keeping.
3. Formulation of policies and
programmes.
4. Drafting of government
policies and programmes
5. Publicity and education.
Folashade Mejabi Yemi-Esan
6. Planning of
government budget.
7. Represent government
at functions and
ceremonies.
8. Provision of
employment
opportunities.
9. Advice to government.
10.Contributes to law-
making.
 Task
With at least five
points, examine five
problems of the civil
service.
 PROBLEMS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
1. Political Interference.
2. Bribery and
Corruption.
3. Bad attitude to work.
4. Bureaucratic
bottlenecks(formaliti
es).
5. Tribalism.
6. Poor condition of service.
7. Over staffing.
8. Lack of qualified
personnel.
9. Over devotion to
precedent.(reference to
earlier decision).
10. Inadequate training
facilities.
11.Colonial experience.
 Group work

Explore five
ways of
improving
the public
service.
 WAYS OF IMPROVING THE PUBLIC
SERVICE
• Clear definition of Government Ministries, departments and
agencies.
• Encouraging citizen participation in Governance.
• Reformation of code of conduct bureau and Public service
commission.
• Improved salaries.
• Introducing the use of technology in the public service.
 ASSIGNMENT

Explain five ways of

improving public service
in the Nigeria Police.
Lesson objectives review
End of the lesson, were you able to:

•explain the structure of the Public Service.

•discuss the importance and functions of the
Public Service.
•Outline some shortcomings in the Public Service
•Explore some ways of improving the Public
Service in Nigeria
…the last line.
 …in our next class, we’ll examine…

…Structure and
challenges of the
Public Service.