ASABA — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State has rejected the new dress code introduced for civil servants, describing it as insensitive and financially unrealistic. But the state government has defended the policy, insisting it is not new and was only re-emphasized to maintain discipline and decency in the workforce.
Speaking with journalists in Asaba on Monday, September 15, 2025, NLC Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, said the circular issued by the Head of Service goes beyond civil service rules and places unnecessary burdens on workers.
“We are not comfortable with the dress code. We reject it in its entirety,” Ofobruku said. “The Civil Service Rule only says officers should not dress inappropriately. It does not dictate specific clothes.”
He criticized the directive that civil servants must wear suits from Monday to Thursday and senator suits or modern caftans on Fridays, arguing that many workers cannot afford them.
“Do they know how much it costs to sew one suit? How much is salary? If government wants us to dress this way, they should give us wardrobe allowance like they do for top officials,” he said.
The labour leader added that the policy was announced without consulting workers or their representatives, calling it unfair. He also questioned how engineers, surveyors, drivers, and plant operators would cope, since their jobs often require fieldwork and practical uniforms.
“Even Julius Berger’s top engineers don’t wear suits on sites. How can you now say our engineers or surveyors should do so? The policy was not properly thought through,” he argued.
But the state government has thrown its weight behind the policy and the ongoing civil service screening exercise, warning that it will not tolerate falsification of age, abuse of leave of absence, or indecent dressing.
Briefing journalists in Asaba, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the screening was meant to sanitize the service and restore integrity.
He noted that some officers had manipulated their records by presenting unrealistic school certificates and others had stayed abroad for years while still drawing salaries from the state.
“If there is anybody advised by the screening committee to retire, government fully supports that decision,” Aniagwu said. “We cannot continue to accommodate individuals who falsify their age or live abroad while collecting salaries meant for those working here.”
On the dress code, Aniagwu maintained that the rules were not new but drawn from Section 04314 of the Civil Service Rules. He said the aim was simply to ensure decency and respect for the image of the service.
“When you come to work in spaghetti straps or slippers, you demean the image of the service. The civil service is not a free party where people can dress as they please,” he explained.
He stressed that government is not interfering with how people dress outside work, but during official hours, “we expect decency.”
Aniagwu added that the policy aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which seeks to strengthen discipline, professionalism, and transparency in the civil service.
