The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has imposed a strict ban on mobile phone use for staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration.
The ban came just hours after a video clip showing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer engaged in a heated argument during a land enforcement operation in the Gaduwa district surfaced online.
Under the new directive, officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below are now prohibited from bringing mobile phones into the office.
According to an internal memo issued by AGIS management on Wednesday, the policy takes effect from November 12, 2025.
“This is to inform all staff that there shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within office premises for all officers on SGL 14 and below,” the memo read.
“For the avoidance of doubt, affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth. All concerned officers are hereby advised to comply strictly and be guided accordingly.”
Meanwhile, reactions among staff have been mixed, with some describing the decision as excessive and disconnected from modern workplace realities.
One employee told reporters, “It feels like a punishment rather than a policy. Many of us rely on our phones to coordinate tasks efficiently.”
As of press time, neither AGIS nor the FCTA had issued a public explanation for the decision, leaving employees and stakeholders seeking clarity on the rationale behind the sweeping restriction.
