Delta Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori (middle) flanked by the SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu (right) and Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu (left standing) and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN going through a document during the state Executive Council meeting at Government House Asaba on Thursday.

The Delta State Government has issued a new directive banning bushy beards, artificial braided or tainted hair, long eyelashes, fake nails, and other forms of what it calls “indecent appearance” among public servants.

The ban was announced in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, which stated that all public servants must now appear in neat, professional, and modest attire that reflects their level in the civil service.

According to the circular, male civil servants are no longer allowed to grow bushy beards or wear certain traditional caps such as the “Resource Control” or “Papas” caps. Female staff are now prohibited from coming to work with artificial braided or dyed (tainted) hair, long eyelashes, and fake nails.

The directive also provides updated dress code standards. Senior officers are expected to wear full corporate suits, while junior officers must dress in trousers with shirts and ties. Traditional attire is permitted only on Fridays or for special events and must be clean, decent, and modest.

For female public servants, acceptable clothing includes trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns that fall below the knee and have sleeves. Sleeveless outfits, spaghetti straps, revealing clothing, and any dress that exposes cleavage are strictly banned.

The government ordered the heads of departments to monitor how workers dress and to send anyone who breaks the rules back home to change before returning to work, adding that anyone who refuses to follow the rules could face punishment.

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.

“Suffice it to state that this circular is intended to promote discipline in dressing culture among Public Servants. To enforce strict adherence to the revised dress code, it behooves all heads of departments to execute these provisions and not hesitate in directing any erring officer that is inappropriately attired to return home, dress decently, and resume duty promptly, or risk more stringent sanctions from the Accounting Officer forthwith.

“Accordingly, all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments are enjoined to give the content of this circular the much-desired publicity for staff guidance and strict adherence, please.” (The Guardian)

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