Delta State Bans Bushy Beards, Fake Nails, Braided Hair Among Civil Servants

The Delta State Government has issued a new directive banning certain grooming and fashion styles among its public servants, aiming to enforce what it describes as a more professional, modest, and disciplined appearance.

The restrictions, contained in a circular from the Office of the Head of Service, include prohibitions on: Bushy beards for male employees, Wearing of “Resource Control” or “Papas” traditional caps by male officers, Artificial braided or dyed (tainted) hair for female staff, Long eyelashes and fake nails among women in the civil service. 

The circular also lays out detailed dress‐code rules depending on salary grade level for male officers: Officers at senior levels (SGL 13 and above) must wear full corporate suits, Officers at intermediate levels (SGL 7-12) are to wear trousers, shirts and ties, or suits in certain roles, Lower‐grade officers (SGL 01-06) should wear trousers and shirts; uniformed staff must wear their uniforms, Traditional attire is only allowed on Fridays or during special events, and even then with constraints.

For female officers: Senior female officers must appear in trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns that fall below the knee, with sleeves, Mid‐level and lower‐grade female staff are permitted free gowns below the knee, skirts and blouses with sleeves. Sleeveless, spaghetti straps, and exposing cleavage are disallowed, Traditional attires are allowed only on Fridays or special events, provided they are modest and meet the circular’s standards.

Departmental heads have been directed to monitor adherence to the rules. Officers found violating the dress code may be sent home to change, and persistent non‐compliance could attract sanctions under public service regulations.