When Nigeria gained her independence in 1960 from the British Colonial Authority, the Public Service Commission was entrenched in the constitution of Nigeria to perform the function of appointments, promotion and discipline in the Public Service; particularly as Government business were organized under the departmental Establishments such as:- Public Works Department, Treasury Department, Forestry Department, Health Department, the Nigerian Railways, the Electricity Board, the Telecommunication Board and the Nigerian Harbour, to mention a few.
The 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria maintained the same position, as well as, that of 1979 when the Public Service Commission became the Federal Civil Service Commission and was subsequently retained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The modification in name in the 1979 Constitution was with a view to allowing some former Federal Departments, now Parastatals, the autonomy of managing their expanded responsibilities by the Government, due to enhanced revenue of the Nigerian Government.