Nigeria Unveils Unified Writing Style Manual for Government Communications

In a significant move to enhance professionalism and consistency in government communication, the Nigerian government has officially unveiled the Nigerian Public Service Writing Style Manual. The 148-page document was formally presented to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during a ceremony held in Abuja.

Developed by a specially constituted committee, the Manual provides clear and comprehensive guidelines for official writing across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It is structured into six chapters and includes 55 practical templates aimed at resolving longstanding issues of inconsistency in government documents. The Manual offers protocols for formatting, referencing, digital communication, and the appropriate use of national symbols such as the Coat of Arms and the National Flag.

Mrs. Walson-Jack described the Manual as a transformative tool and a cornerstone in building a more responsive and citizen-focused civil service. She emphasized its role in streamlining government communication through the adoption of British English standards, standardized templates, and clear language, which will help eliminate ambiguity in official documents.

As part of the implementation plan, the Manual will undergo a service-wide validation process to incorporate feedback from stakeholders. It will then be presented to the President for endorsement as a formal policy document. Following this, it will be integrated into civil service training programmes and reviewed every five years to maintain its relevance and effectiveness.

Dr. Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office, noted the Manual’s alignment with the Federal Government’s vision of a world-class civil service. She also acknowledged the support of the government-wide GPT platform in aiding the committee’s development process.

Mr. Olusade Adesola, OON, Chairman of the Writing Style Manual Development Committee and a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for reform. He praised Mrs. Walson-Jack for her leadership and dedication to civil service transformation.

With its rollout across all federal MDAs, the Nigerian Public Service Writing Style Manual is poised to revolutionise official communication, reinforcing the government’s commitment to best practices and strengthening public trust in governance.