The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a sweeping directive banning the use of mobile phones by staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration. The order applies to officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below and takes effect from Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
What the directive says
According to an internal memo, signed by management and circulated to staff, the new policy is titled “Ban on Use of Mobile Phones Within the Office Premises for Officers on Salary Grade Level 14 and Below.”
Key excerpts include:
“This is to inform all staff of AGIS and the Department of Land Administration that with effect from Wednesday, 12th November, 2025, there shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within the office premises for all officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below… For the avoidance of doubt, affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”
The memo was signed off by the “Management” AGIS Head, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
Why now? A ministerial face-off
While no official reason has been given for the ban, the directive emerges less than 24 hours after an altercation between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa district of Abuja.
Sources within AGIS say the minister was angered by the circulation of videos showing the confrontation, which reportedly spread via WhatsApp groups among staff. One source told media:
“The minister was furious that the videos circulated among staff. He saw it as an act of sabotage. This phone ban is his way of showing anger.”
Response and concerns
The phone ban has generated mixed reactions within the FCTA and across civil-service observers. Some staff described the measure as “unusual” and “too restrictive.”
Labour activists and rights groups have been critical, describing the policy as archaic, draconian and anti-labour in a digital age. “It is absurd that in 2025 a minister would ban phones in a public agency because of a viral video,” one activist said.
Background to the land dispute
According to the FCT minister’s aide, the confrontation stems from a disputed land deal. The land in question was reportedly allocated in 2007 to a private firm for park and recreation purposes, but the firm allegedly failed to develop it. Later, the firm purportedly attempted to convert the land to commercial status and began subdividing/selling without formal approval; among the buyers was a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The minister and his team visited the site and found uniformed personnel acting as security guards of the former Naval Chief’s parcels. The minister challenged their presence and demanded documents. Tensions escalated.
Implications for the workplace
Observers note that the ban may undermine communication and workflow among junior staff in AGIS and the Department of Land Administration, given how mobile phones are integral to operational and field-work activities. Others believe the move is meant to curb leaks of sensitive recordings or documents.
What’s next?
As of now, neither AGIS nor the FCTA has issued a formal public statement clarifying the ban or its duration. It remains unclear whether the ban is temporary, in light of the viral video incident or represents a permanent change in internal policy.
The episode also raises questions about the relationship between civilian administrative oversight and military/security personnel in land allocation matters. Critics argue that the incident undermines civil-military protocol and may affect public confidence in land‐governance mechanisms.
