Boardroom News.
The Nigerian Public Service Writing Style Manual was officially delivered to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, marking a major advancement in the professionalism and consistency of government communications. A significant milestone in the ongoing reform of the Federal Civil Service was reached when the document, created by a specially formed committee, was delivered to Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, the Head of the Civil Service.
The 148-page Manual offers clear guidelines on official writing standards for Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It is divided into six chapters and includes 55 useful templates. In addition to establishing precise guidelines for formatting, referencing, digital communication, and suitable national symbols, it tackles the persistent problem of inconsistency in government documents.
Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized the Manual’s transformative potential during the presentation ceremony, calling it “a cornerstone for building a more responsive and citizen-centric civil service.” She stated that ambiguities in government communications would be removed by implementing British English standards, standardized templates for official correspondence, and clear guidelines regarding national symbols like the national flag and coat of arms.
In order to incorporate feedback from stakeholders throughout the public service, the Head of Service first presented a service-wide validation process as part of an organized implementation plan. To formally establish the Manual as a significant policy document, it will be submitted for the President’s approval. After that, it will be incorporated into civil servant training programs and reviewed every five years to make sure it remains relevant.
The initiative’s alignment with the Federal Government’s vision of a world-class civil service was emphasized by Dr. Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office. She also recognized the critical role that the service-wide GPT platform played in assisting the committee in its work.
Mr. Olusade Adesola, OON, a former Federal Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the Writing Style Manual Development Committee, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating a reform-friendly atmosphere. He gave special recognition to Mrs. Walson-Jack for her visionary leadership and active participation in advancing the agenda for civil service transformation.
The Nigerian Public Service Writing Style Manual is poised to transform official documentation by guaranteeing professionalism, uniformity, and clarity in government communications once it is implemented nationwide across all Federal MDAs. This accomplishment demonstrates the Federal Government’s dedication to establishing best practices and boosting public confidence in governance procedures.
Leave a Reply