The Delta State Government has announced a ban on what it described as indecent dressing among civil servants, warning workers against bushy beards, artificial hair, long eyelashes, and provocative clothing.
The directive, issued by the Office of the Head of Service, is aimed at sanitising the public service and promoting a culture of discipline, neatness, and professionalism among government workers.
According to the circular, male staff are expected to appear in corporate attire, clean-shaven, with no room for bushy beards or unkempt looks. Female staff, on the other hand, are barred from wearing outfits considered indecent, including skimpy dresses, see-through clothing, and excessively tight wear. They are also prohibited from artificial long nails, eyelashes, and brightly dyed hair.
The circular read in part: “In an effort to address the unpleasant practice of improper dressing that has become commonplace in the State Public Service, it is instructive to announce a review of the existing dress code contained in circular letter No. HOS. 15/13/74 of 12th March, 2009, for the purpose of upholding decency in the appearance of Public Servants across the State.
“It is also very important to underscore the vital role expected of senior public servants in revising the said anomaly through leading examples of appropriate dressing culture that demonstrates decorum to guide and correct subordinates; and whenever lapses are observed, sanctions may be invoked to check the ugly trend, based on the Public Service Rule No. 04314, which states inter alia: ‘No Officer shall appear in the office or anywhere in his official capacity attired in a manner deemed inappropriate or immodest.’
“In consideration of the foregoing, and in cognizance of our diverse cultural backgrounds, the following dress modes are therefore approved as the minimum acceptable official standard, deemed corporate, modest, and fashionable for the discharge of official duties:
MALE PUBLIC SERVANTS
(i) All officers on GLs 13 and above should appear at work in complete suits, except for uniform officers as given;
(ii) All officers on SGLs 07–12 should appear as in (i) above or in a pair of trousers, shirt, and tie, except all Administrative Officers, who should always be in a suit;
(iii) All officers on SGLs 01–06 should appear as in (i) or (ii) above, except for uniformed staff, e.g., drivers, plant operators, etc., who should always be in their uniforms; and in the absence of uniforms, should put on trousers and shirts to work;
(iv) Traditional attire for male officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; this includes smart senator suits, modern caftans, or native shirts with matching trousers, complemented by the appropriate traditional cap.
Note: Resource Control and Papas caps are prohibited, while bushy beards are proscribed.
FEMALE PUBLIC SERVANTS
(i) All officers on SGLs 13 and above should appear at work in trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns below the knee level (no hats); all trousers must come in suits;
(ii) All officers on SGLs 07–12 should appear either as in (i) above or in free gowns below the knee level with sleeves, or skirts below the knee level and blouse with sleeves to match (sleeveless or spaghetti straps are prohibited);
(iii) All officers on SGLs 01–06 should appear as in free gowns with sleeves, or skirt and blouse as described in (ii) above;.
(iv) Traditional attire for female officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; this includes traditional costumes such as buba and wrapper, skirts with blouses, or gowns fashioned from African fabrics, provided such garments have proper sleeves.
Note: All female dressing should be with decorum, devoid of any provocative exposure of cleavage. Braided or tainted hair, long eyelashes, and artificial nails are prohibited.
The government stressed that civil servants must serve as role models to the public and therefore reflect decency in their appearance.
“Public officers are expected to uphold the dignity of the service, which includes their dress sense. Indecent dressing erodes respect and reduces the image of the service,” the circular read.
Workers were further reminded that adherence to the dress code would form part of disciplinary checks, with violators facing sanctions.
The new regulation has sparked mixed reactions among civil servants and residents. While some see it as a positive step to restore discipline and order, others argue that personal choices should not be policed by government.
