Delta State Government Revises Dress Code for Public Servants to Promote Decency and Discipline

The Delta State Government has implemented a revised dress code for public servants in a move aimed at promoting decency, professionalism, and discipline across the state’s civil service.

In an official statement posted Thursday on its verified X account, the government stated that the updated guidelines are necessary to address the rising trend of inappropriate dressing in public offices and to maintain the decorum expected within the service.

According to the announcement, senior officers are expected to set the standard by modeling appropriate attire. Violations of the dress code will be addressed under Public Service Rule No. 04314, with disciplinary measures applicable to any staff appearing in improper or immodest clothing.

Dress Code Requirements for Male Officers:

• Grade Level 13 and above: Must wear full suits, except uniformed staff.
• Grade Levels 07 to 12: Required to wear suits or trousers with shirts and ties.
• Administrative Officers (all levels): Must always be in suits.
• Grade Levels 01 to 06: Expected to adhere to similar standards; drivers and plant operators may wear uniforms or trousers with shirts.
• Traditional wear (senator suits, caftans, native shirts with trousers and caps) is allowed only on Fridays and designated special occasions.
• Prohibited items include resource control and papas caps, as well as unkempt or bushy beards.

Dress Code Guidelines for Female Officers:

• Grade Level 13 and above: Must wear corporate gowns below the knee, skirt suits, or trouser suits (trousers allowed only as part of suits).
• Grade Levels 07 to 12: May wear gowns with sleeves and below the knee, or skirts with blouses.
• Grade Levels 01 to 06: Expected to maintain similar dress standards.
• Traditional attire (e.g., buba and wrapper, African print gowns) is permitted on Fridays and special occasions, provided they include proper sleeves.

The directive explicitly bans sleeveless or spaghetti-strap dresses, revealing necklines, tinted or braided hair, long artificial eyelashes, and artificial nails for female staff.

Heads of Departments have been instructed to ensure strict enforcement, with the authority to send non-compliant staff home to change or impose further disciplinary actions. Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments are also tasked with ensuring widespread awareness and adherence to the new policy.

The state government emphasized that these changes are aimed at fostering a culture of professionalism, preserving the integrity of the public service, and setting a standard for responsible conduct among civil servants.