A new wave of controversy has engulfed Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following Minister Nyesom Wike’s decision to ban the use of mobile phones by staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration.
The directive, reportedly triggered by the recent circulation of a viral video showing the minister in a heated confrontation with a naval officer, has drawn widespread criticism from workers, civil rights advocates, and political observers.
According to an internal memo issued by AGIS Management and signed by the agency’s head, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, staff members on Salary Grade Level 14 and below are prohibited from entering the office premises with their mobile phones starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The memo stated:
“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… affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”
Trigger: Viral Video of Minister’s Clash
Sources within AGIS disclosed that the decision came barely 24 hours after videos of Wike’s altercation with a naval officer at a disputed property site in Abuja spread rapidly across WhatsApp groups, allegedly shared by AGIS staff.
“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,” a source told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity.
The viral footage, which captured Wike shouting orders at the officer, ignited debates on social media over the minister’s temperament, the limits of his authority, and the growing tension between civilian officials and security personnel in Abuja’s land administration process.
Criticism and Backlash
The new directive has sparked outrage among workers and civil rights groups, who view it as a gross violation of personal freedom and workplace rights. Many describe it as an overreach of ministerial power and an attempt to stifle transparency within government institutions.
“It’s absurd that in 2025, a minister would ban phones in a public agency because of a viral video,” said a labour activist in Abuja. “This is not leadership—it’s paranoia in power. Such policies only breed fear, not discipline.”
Several staff members who spoke off record expressed concern that the ban would disrupt workflow, particularly for officers who rely on mobile communication for data verification, inter-departmental coordination, and field reporting.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Labour lawyers and governance experts are now questioning the legality of the policy, noting that it contravenes workplace communication rights and could expose the FCT Administration to lawsuits from affected staff.
“Public service rules do not empower a minister to impose blanket restrictions on personal property,” said one Abuja-based legal analyst. “Such directives must pass through due process and consultation with civil service commissions and labour unions.”
Pattern of Authoritarian Control
This is not the first time Minister Wike has drawn criticism for his leadership style since assuming office. His tenure as FCT Minister has been marked by frequent confrontations with landowners, demolition exercises, and public outbursts.
Observers note that the phone ban reinforces a growing perception of intolerance and authoritarianism around Wike’s administration — a reputation that mirrors his time as governor of Rivers State, where he was often accused of heavy-handed tactics.
Political analysts say the episode exposes deeper issues in Nigeria’s public sector governance — particularly the culture of fear that often silences civil servants from reporting irregularities or abuses of power.
Awaiting Official Response
As of press time, the FCT Administration had yet to issue an official statement clarifying the rationale behind the mobile phone restriction or addressing the widespread backlash it has generated.
Civil rights groups are calling for an immediate reversal of the directive, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intervene and ensure that transparency, accountability, and workers’ rights remain protected within federal institutions.
Until such action is taken, Wike’s decision is likely to remain one of the most contentious policies in Nigeria’s federal bureaucracy — one that highlights the uneasy intersection of power, control, and public accountability in the digital age.
