Nigerian Governor Reviews Dress Code for Civil Servants, Bans ‘Bushy Beards, Artificial Nails’

• The Delta state government, led by Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced a revised dress code for civil servants in the state
• The government warned male workers not to keep bushy beards, and female workers have been urged not to wear artificial nails
• The full directive was contained in a circular issued by the office of the Head of Service and released by the governor’s new media office on Thursday

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Delta state – Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state, on Thursday, September 11, 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.”

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As reported by The Punch, it recalled that the old dress code was contained in a circular of March 12, 2009.

The Delta state government stressed that senior officers must take the lead in enforcing the new standards.

Don’t keep bushy beards – Male workers warned

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.

“Also, traditional attire for male officers shall be permissible only on Fridays.”

The circular further stated: “Resource control and papas caps are prohibited; while bushy beards are proscribed.”

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No artificial hair, long eyelashes, fake nails for female civil servants

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.

“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.

Read more about Delta state here:

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Delta governor dumps PDP for APC

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and commissioners have defected from the PDP to the ruling APC.

Legit.ng reported that their defection was announced at a press briefing in Asaba on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Oborevwori’s defection to the APC is seen as a significant blow to the PDP because no other political party has governed the state since 1999.

Source: Legit.ng