The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reportedly banned the use of mobile phones by employees of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration, targeting workers on Salary Grade Level 14 and below.
The directive, which takes effect from Wednesday, November 12, 2025, was contained in an internal memo signed by the AGIS management and circulated among staff.
The memo, titled “Ban on Use of Mobile Phones Within the Office Premises for Officers on Salary Grade Level 14 and Below,” stated that affected employees would no longer be allowed to enter the office with their phones.
According to the circular, “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 14 and below.
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.”
The memo, signed off simply as “Management,” has stirred mixed reactions among civil servants within the FCTA. Some staff members described the move as “too restrictive” and “unusual,” questioning its intent and timing.
Although the management has not explained the reason for the sudden restriction, the policy comes barely 24 hours after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike clashed publicly with a naval officer over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
Many insiders believe the ban may be linked to that confrontation, possibly aimed at preventing unauthorized recordings or leaks of sensitive internal discussions.
As of press time, neither the AGIS management nor the FCTA had released an official statement clarifying the motive behind the controversial directive.
The Abuja Geographic Information Systems office is central to land documentation and allocation in the FCT. It handles property records, cadastral mapping, and issuance of land titles making it one of the most sensitive departments under the FCTA.
Critics argue that restricting staff from using phones could affect productivity and communication, while others claim the decision was a necessary step to enhance discipline and curb possible data breaches.
The situation continues to generate debate among civil servants and the public, with many calling on the FCT minister to clarify whether the measure is temporary or a permanent internal policy.