In a circular issued during the weekend by the Office of the Head of Service, the government of Delta State has introduced a strict dress code for civil servants, banning bushy beards, artificial hair, long eyelashes, fake nails, and other forms of what it described as “indecent appearance” in the public service.
The state government said the measure was aimed at entrenching discipline, modesty, and professionalism in the conduct of workers.
According to the directive, senior officers from Grade Level 13 and above must appear in full corporate suits or equivalent corporate gowns, while female officers are expected to wear smart suits or gowns that fall below the knee and cover the shoulders.
Junior officers between Grade Levels 07–12, as well as those on GL 01–06, are also required to dress neatly in corporate attire or traditional wear on Fridays and special occasions, provided such attire is “decent and acceptable.”
The circular further warned that workers who flout the dress code risk being sent back home by their supervisors, while repeat offenders would face disciplinary action in line with the Public Service Rules.
“Civil servants are the face of government, and as such, their appearance must reflect the values of modesty, discipline, and respect for the institution they represent,” the statement read in part.
The new policy has triggered mixed reactions among workers and the public, with some hailing the move as a step towards restoring professionalism in the civil service, while others argue that it infringes on personal freedom and targets female workers disproportionately.
