BREAKING: FCT Administration Under Minister Wike
Restates Ban On Smart Phones, Says Only 'Torch Light Phones' Allowed During
Work Hours
The directive,
contained in a circular with reference number FCT/DLA/259/III dated 28th
November 2025, was addressed to all Heads of Division, Sections, Units, and
staff of the Department of Land Administration and the Abuja Geographic
Information System (AGIS).
The Federal Capital
Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a new directive prohibiting the use
of smartphones and other smart devices by staff members on Grade Level 14 and
below within office premises during working hours, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The directive, contained in a circular with
reference number FCT/DLA/259/III dated 28th November 2025, was addressed to all
Heads of Division, Sections, Units, and staff of the Department of Land
Administration and the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).
Signed by Amaka Ezike, Assistant Director
(Administration), on behalf of the Acting Director of Administration, the
circular announces full enforcement of the ban beginning Monday, December 1,
2025.
According to the document obtained by SaharaReporters,
the restriction covers smartphones, smartwatches, and all internet-enabled
gadgets, which staff will no longer be allowed to use or possess within office
premises during working hours.
"To implement the directive, management
has provided secure storage cabinets where affected officers are expected to
deposit their devices upon arrival. These gadgets will only be accessible
during official break periods," the circular stated.
The memo also recalls the staff general
meeting of November 18, 2025, where workers reportedly agreed that only basic
‘torchlight’ phones without internet capability would be permitted for
essential communication during office hours.
Management staff have been directed to
enforce the policy among their subordinates and ensure strict compliance.
The statement read, "I am directed to
inform all Staff of the Department of Land Administration and Abuja Geographic
Information System (AGIS) on Grade Level 14 and below that Enforcement of
No-Use of Smart Phones, Smart Watches, Smart Gadgets etc, within Office
premises during working hours will commence on Monday, 1st December, 2025.
"However, there are provisions for
secured cabinets where Officers could drop their smart phones and other gadgets
for safe keeping and could only be accessed during their break time.
"In view of the foregoing, all affected
Staff are hereby reminded of our collective resolution during the Staff general
meeting held on Thursday, 18th November, 2025 that only torch light phones
without any internet facilities will be allowed for the purpose of useful
communication during office hours.
"Affected Officers are hereby advised to
comply strictly with this directive for any violation will attract appropriate
disciplinary action.
"Management Staff are enjoined to bring
the content of this circular to their subordinates and ensure strict
compliance," Ezike added.
Sahara Reporters had in the first week of
November reported that Wike ordered 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 controversial directive, contained in an
internal memo sighted by SaharaReporters, targets all officers on Salary Grade
Level 14 and below, forbidding them from entering office premises with their
mobile phones beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The memo was issued by the Head of AGIS,
Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
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