A brewing standoff between the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Chapter, is threatening to escalate, following the introduction of a new dress code policy for civil servants across the state.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration recently issued a circular mandating stricter standards of appearance for all public servants, aimed at curbing what it described as “the unpleasant practice of improper dressing” in the public service.

The policy, publicised through the Office of the Head of Service and shared by the Governor’s New Media Office, referenced an earlier directive from March 12 2009, which is now under review to reflect what government officials describe as “a new culture of decency.”

However, the policy has sparked outrage among public sector workers and their union representatives, who argue that the directive is both out of touch and unfair, given the current economic realities faced by civil servants in the state.

On Monday, the government and labour threatened to fight to the finish over the matter, as both parties are not willing to throw in the towel in search of a soft landing for possible solutions.

Addressing Journalists in Asaba on Monday, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said, “There is no going back on the dress code.” The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),
Comrade Goodluck Oforbrukueta, swiftly responded, saying, “We will not allow it.”

Aniagwu maintained that the state workers must henceforth dress decently in accordance with their roles as civil servants. Still, Oforbrukueta did not mince words while also addressing Journalists in his office, where he condemned the policy in strong terms and urged civil servants to ignore the dress code directive because “the directive is not in line with civil servants’ roles.”

“That we should put on suits from Mondays to Thursdays, and on Fridays we must put on senators’ suits with a set of caps, and the women must dress in a particular dress, is not in line with civil servants’ roles.

“The roles say all officers must dress in a manner that must not be seen to be inappropriate. So far, civil servants have been dressing well. We have been dressing in line with the roles of civil servants.

“We will not take it, we will not allow it. If the worst comes, we will resist it, call the workers, and see how far the directive will go”, he said.

He went further to accuse the state government of making unilateral decisions without consulting labour representatives or considering the welfare of workers: “If you want to make new policy, why not discuss it with workers’ representatives”?

The NLC chairman also highlighted the poor working conditions in many government offices across the state, stating that basic office supplies such as chairs, tables, pens, and paper are lacking. “Where the money dey? How much you dey pay the people?” he asked.

Oforbrukueta warned that if this new policy is allowed to stand, it could open the floodgates to other extreme directives in the future.

He vowed that the union would defend any worker who is punished for failing to comply with the new dress code, calling for proper consultation and respect for established civil service rules.

Meanwhile, the state government insists the review is necessary. According to Aniagwu, in the circular, senior civil servants are expected to lead by example in demonstrating the “appropriate dressing culture.”

The document cautions that violations may lead to sanctions, citing the Public Service Rule No. 04314, which prohibits officers from appearing at work or in any official capacity in “a manner deemed inappropriate or immodest.”

While the government claims that the dress code is about professionalism and public image, labour argues that such measures are misplaced given low wages and worsening working conditions.

As tensions rise, it seems likely that a deeper conflict between the Oborevwori-led administration and organised labour in Delta State is on the horizon — unless a compromise is reached through dialogue and genuine engagement with workers’ concerns.