The Cross River State Government has issued a strict warning against indecent dressing and the rising trend of civil servants parading unearned doctorate titles within the state’s workforce.

According to Circular No. 3/2025, signed by the Head of Service, Barr. Orok Bassey Okon, the government expressed concern over the increasing disregard for professional dress standards among officers, noting that many now report to work in slippers and bathroom sandals, short skirts and gowns above knee length, transparent, revealing, or tight-fitting clothes, as well as tight trousers.

Other prohibited clothing items highlighted include off-shoulder blouses, sleeveless tops, jeans, T-shirts, unbuttoned shirts, shorts, and three-quarter trousers — all of which the government says undermine the decorum and discipline expected of public servants.

The circular, made available to journalists in Calabar, directed that all officers must appear in formal, decent, and professional attire from Monday to Friday. It warned that any civil servant found violating the dress code would face disciplinary measures as provided in the Public Service Rules.

Beyond dressing, the government also raised concerns over the unauthorised use of academic, chieftaincy, and religious titles by officers. The Head of Service noted an alarming number of civil servants claiming doctorate (PhD) titles they did not earn.

“The attention of the Office of the Head of Service has been drawn to the increasing incidence of officers in the Cross River State Civil Service parading doctorate (PhD) titles not academically earned,” the circular stated.

It further condemned the inclusion of chieftaincy, traditional, community-based, or faith-based titles in official communication, insisting that the civil service is governed by rules and protocols designed to promote professionalism, uniformity, and discipline.

“Only officers who have academically earned accredited and verifiable doctoral degrees may use the title ‘Dr’ or ‘PhD’ in all official documents and identity records. Any officer found using unearned academic titles shall be subjected to disciplinary action,” the circular warned.

Additionally, it stressed that honorary or traditional titles must not appear in memos, letters, email signatures, name tags, identity cards, or personnel records. Officers are required to use only names officially captured in the service database.

The Head of Service urged all civil servants to uphold the dignity and professional standards of the Cross River State Civil Service. Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Heads of Departments have been instructed to enforce full compliance, with sanctions awaiting defaulters in line with the Public Service Rules. (Tribune)