The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a strict ban on using cellphones by workers of the Abuja Geographic Info Methods (AGIS) and the Division of Land Administration.
The brand new directive impacts officers on Grade Degree 14 and beneath, stopping them from coming into their places of work with cellphones beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
POLITICS NIGERIA reviews that the order got here shortly after movies exhibiting Wike’s heated altercation with a Naval officer at a disputed property web site in Abuja went viral on social media.
In response to an inside memo signed by the Head of AGIS, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, “There shall be a ban on using cellphones inside the workplace premises for all officers on Wage Grade Degree (SGL) 14 and beneath… affected workers will not be permitted to enter the premises with their cellphones henceforth.”
Sources inside AGIS disclosed that the choice adopted the minister’s anger over the viral footage, which was reportedly shared throughout WhatsApp {groups} by some workers members “The minister was livid that the movies unfold amongst employees. He felt betrayed and noticed it as sabotage,” a supply stated.
The ban has sparked outrage amongst workers and civil rights advocates, who describe it as “authoritarian and outdated.” Many have accused the minister of clamping down on transparency in public service.
One labour activist instructed reporters that the transfer “reveals intolerance and concern of publicity. On this digital age, banning telephones is backward and pointless.”
As of the time of submitting this report, the FCT Administration had not issued any public assertion explaining the choice or responding to the backlash.
Beneath is an image excerpt of the WhatsApp message….