The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has imposed a sweeping ban on the use of mobile phones by staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration.
The directive, contained in an internal memo from AGIS Head, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, affects all officers on Salary Grade Level 14 and below, preventing them from bringing mobile phones into the office premises beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Sources within the agency revealed that the move followed the recent circulation of videos showing Wike’s heated confrontation with a Naval officer at a disputed property in Abuja.
The videos reportedly spread among AGIS staff via WhatsApp, which allegedly angered the minister and prompted the restrictive policy.
The phone ban has triggered widespread criticism from workers, civil rights groups, and labour advocates, who describe the measure as authoritarian and a violation of employees’ rights. Many see it as a reflection of Wike’s growing intolerance for internal dissent and public scrutiny.
Adding to the controversy, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the minister’s conduct in the viral video, accusing him of showing disrespect toward a serving military officer who was lawfully carrying out his duties.
The students’ body called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike, insisting that those who have served the nation in uniform deserve respect and fair treatment.
As of the time of writing, the FCT Administration has not issued any official clarification regarding the phone ban or the viral confrontation that sparked it.
