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Delta reviews dress code for civil servants, bans bushy beards, artificial nails

Published

7 months ago

September 11, 2025

The Delta State Government has reviewed the dress code for civil servants, warning that improper dressing in the public service will no longer be tolerated.

The circular, signed by the Office of the Head of Service and released by the New Media Office of the Governor on Thursday, said the move was to “uphold decency in the appearance of Public Servants across the State.”

It recalled that the old dress code was contained in a circular of March 12, 2009, but stressed that “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.”

The government said senior officers must take the lead in enforcing the new standards, noting that “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 towards checkmating 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.’”

For male officers, the circular directed that:

“All officers on GLs 13 and above should appear at work in Complete Suits, except for uniform officers as given.

“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 Suit.

“All officers on SGLs 01-06 should appear as in A(i) or A(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.

“Also, traditional attire for male officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; and such includes Smart Senator Suits, Modern Caftans or Native Shirts with matching Trousers, complemented by the appropriate Traditional Cap.”

The circular further stated: “Resource Control and Papas Caps are prohibited; while Bushy beards are proscribed.”

For female officers, the directive read:

“All officers on SGLs 13 and above should appear at work on Trouser Suits, Skirt Suits or Corporate Gowns below the knee level (No hats); and all Trousers Must come in Suits.

“All officers on SGLs 07-12 should appear either as in B(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 hands are prohibited).

“All officers on SGLs 01-06 should appear as in free Gowns with Sleeves, or Skirt and Blouse as described in B(ii) above.

“Also, traditional attire for female officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; and such includes Traditional costumes such as Buba and Wrapper, Skirts with Blouses, or Gowns fashioned from African fabrics, provided such garments have proper sleeves.”

The circular also warned that “all female dressing should be with decorum devoid of any provocative exposure of cleavages. Meanwhile, braided or tainted hair; long eye lashes and artificial nails are prohibited.”

To ensure compliance, heads of departments have been directed to send home erring officers.

“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 therefore, 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.”

The circular urged Permanent Secretaries and department heads to publicise the directive and ensure compliance.

“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 dress code review reflects a broader push for professionalism and discipline in the State public service, aligning with public expectations and government efforts to improve image and work culture.

There is existing legislation in Delta State (such as laws against “indecent exposure” under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law) which penalize indecent dressing among the general public. This dress code for civil servants is in line with those enforcement trends.

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Senate names new minority whip as two more senators defect to APC

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2026

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The Senate on Wednesday appointed Senator Tony Nwoye as the new Minority Whip, following a fresh wave of defections that has further boosted the numerical strength of the All Progressives Congress in the upper chamber.

Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, was unanimously selected by the Senate minority caucus to fill the vacancy created by the exit of his predecessor.

His emergence comes on the heels of the defection of former Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on Wednesday, one of several high-profile crossovers that altered the balance within the opposition ranks.

In a letter read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ngwu said his decision was driven by the need to align with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu.

He also described the APC as the most stable political platform in the country.

Nwoye was elected into the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the African Democratic Congress in late 2025, positioning him within the opposition bloc prior to his new leadership role.

The reshuffle in minority leadership came amid a broader pattern of defections that has steadily eroded the strength of opposition parties in the Senate since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

In a related development, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, representing Gombe South, also announced his defection from the PDP to the APC, citing internal crises within the opposition party.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Wadada, formally announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party to the APC.

Wadada, who has also been endorsed as the APC consensus governorship candidate for Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 elections, said he had previously aligned with the ruling party but completed the formal procedures of his defection on Wednesday.

Reacting to the developments, Senator Adams Oshiomhole commended the lawmakers, describing their defections as voluntary and consistent with constitutional provisions.

He said the increasing movement of legislators into the APC reflects growing confidence in the party’s leadership and the administration of President Tinubu.

With the latest defections, the APC’s strength in the Senate has risen to 91 lawmakers—further consolidating its dominance and tightening its grip on legislative proceedings as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Lagos clarifies sanitation modalities, warns defaulters ahead of April 25

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

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The Lagos State Government has provided further details on the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, set to resume on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with movement restrictions and enforcement measures in place.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said, “The exercise will hold every last Saturday of the month between the hours of 6:30 am and 8:30 am.

During this period, there will be controlled movement across the state to allow residents to carry out thorough cleaning of their homes, surroundings and drainage frontages.”

He stated that enforcement teams comprising officials of the ministry, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Kick Against Indiscipline, Lagos Waste Management Authority, and local government sanitation inspectors would “conduct physical inspections during and after the sanitation window to ensure compliance,” warning that “defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.”

Wahab also stated, “LAWMA intervention trucks will go around to cart away bagged wastes generated during the exercise,” noting that “there will be rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and the cleanest street as part of efforts to encourage healthy competition and community participation.”

He urged residents to cooperate with the initiative, saying, “We urge all residents to take ownership of this exercise and join hands with the government in building a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.”

The clarification follows the symbolic flag-off of the exercise along the Mushin–Agege Motor Road corridor on March 14, ahead of its full implementation later this month.

The state government had earlier announced in March that the sanitation exercise would resume nearly a decade after it was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the programme.

While some residents have welcomed the move, saying it could curb indiscriminate waste disposal and reduce flooding, others have raised concerns about enforcement, warning that movement restrictions could be abused and calling for sustained public education on proper waste management.

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Court remands suspected coup plotters in DSS custody

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

At the sitting, which commenced at about 1:46pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave to have it read to the defendants.

Proceedings were briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.

When the court reconvened at about 2:18 pm, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.

Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case, a request that was not opposed by most defence counsel, although the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.

Ruling, the trial judge ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter till April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.