Delta State Government Reviews Public Service Dress Code to Uphold Decency and Professionalism
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Delta State Government has announced a comprehensive review of the existing public service dress code, signalling a decisive move to address what it described as the “unpleasant practice of improper dressing” among public servants across ministries, departments, and agencies in the state.

In a new circular released by the Office of the Head of Service, the government highlighted the need to uphold discipline, professionalism, and decorum in the appearance of public officers while discharging their official duties. This follows concerns that the previous dress code, issued via Circular Letter No. HOS. 15/13/74 dated 12th March 2009, had not been adequately enforced, leading to a decline in acceptable corporate dressing standards within the state’s workforce.

Senior Officers Urged to Lead by Example

The circular emphasised the critical role senior public servants are expected to play in setting the tone for appropriate dressing. Heads of departments, permanent secretaries, and senior officers on Grade Levels 13 and above were tasked with demonstrating high standards of professionalism through personal dressing habits that reflect decency and corporate culture.

Quoting Public Service Rule No. 04314, the circular warned:

“No officer shall appear in the office or anywhere in his official capacity attired in a manner deemed inappropriate or immodest.”

To this end, disciplinary measures may be invoked where necessary, with erring officers risking sanctions ranging from immediate reprimand to more stringent penalties, depending on the severity of the breach.

Approved Dress Code for Male Public Servants

The revised guidelines set out clear expectations for male officers across different grade levels:

1. Grade Levels 13 and above: Officers are expected to wear complete suits daily, except for those in designated uniformed roles.
2. Grade Levels 07–12: Officers should appear either in full suits or in trousers, shirts, and ties. Administrative officers must, however, be strictly attired in suits.
3. Grade Levels 01–06: Officers should comply with the above, except for uniformed personnel such as drivers and plant operators who must wear official uniforms or, in their absence, neat shirts and trousers.
4. Traditional Attire: Permissible only on Fridays and special occasions, including smart senator suits, modern caftans, or native shirts with matching trousers and traditional caps.

Notably, resource control caps, papas caps, and bushy beards are strictly prohibited under the new code.

Approved Dress Code for Female Public Servants

The guidelines for female officers are equally detailed to promote modesty and professionalism:

1. Grade Levels 13 and above: Officers must appear in trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns below knee level. Trousers must always come in suits, with mini-skirts strictly forbidden.
2. Grade Levels 07–12: Permitted attire includes corporate suits or free gowns with sleeves and skirts below knee level matched with blouses featuring sleeves. Sleeveless or spaghetti strap clothing remains banned.
3. Grade Levels 01–06: Officers should wear free gowns with sleeves, or skirts and blouses as specified above.
4. Traditional Attire: Permitted only on Fridays and special occasions, including buba and wrappers, African fabric skirts with blouses, or gowns with sleeves.

Furthermore, female officers were reminded that provocative exposure, cleavage-baring attire, excessively long eyelashes, artificial nails, and tainted or braided hair violate the revised dress code.

Enforcement and Compliance Mechanisms

To ensure full compliance, the circular mandated all heads of departments and permanent secretaries to strictly enforce the dress code provisions. Any officer found in violation may be sent home to dress appropriately before resuming duties, with the possibility of further sanctions for repeat offenders.

The directive aims to create a disciplined, unified, and professional public service environment where decorum and corporate culture are consistently upheld.

“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,” the circular concluded.

With this move, the Delta State Government has demonstrated its commitment to raising public service standards, ensuring that civil servants present themselves as worthy representatives of government institutions while carrying out their official duties.

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