In a significant step toward professionalising government communications, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has launched the Nigerian Public Service Writing Style Manual, a comprehensive guide to standardise official documentation across federal ministries and agencies.
The 148-page manual, presented to the head of the Civil Service, Dr Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja, establishes uniform writing protocols for all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Developed by a specialised committee, it features six detailed chapters and 55 practical templates addressing formatting, referencing, digital communication, and proper use of national symbols.
Walson-Jack described the manual as “a cornerstone for building a more responsive and citizen-centric civil service,” emphasising its role in eliminating ambiguities in government correspondence.
She said that the guide adopts British English standards and provides clear templates to ensure consistency in official documents.
“This manual will bring much-needed clarity and professionalism to our communications, reinforcing public trust in governance,” she stated.
According to the Federal Civil Service head, a phased implementation plan includes a service-wide validation process, presidential endorsement, integration into civil service training programs, and periodic reviews every five years.
The permanent secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr Deborah Odoh, highlighted the manual’s alignment with the federal government’s reform agenda, noting contributions from the service-wide GPT platform in its development.
Retired federal permanent secretary and chairman of the Manual Development Committee, Mr Olusade Adesola, commended President Bola Tinubu’s support for civil service reforms and praised Walson-Jack’s leadership in driving the initiative.
He said that if the manual is fully adopted across MDAs, it is expected to enhance efficiency, coherence, and professionalism in government communications, marking a key milestone in Nigeria’s public service transformation.
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