The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airline passengers to completely switch off their mobile phones and other electronic devices during aircraft take-off and landing, ending the long-standing practice of using “flight mode.” The new directive was announced by NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu during an interview on Arise Television and reaffirmed by the Director General of the Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
Achimugu explained that the measure is necessary for passenger safety and is tied to security protocols that differ across airlines. He noted that while some aircraft are designed to safely accommodate devices in airplane mode, others are not. According to him, the decision ultimately rests with the pilot, who bears responsibility for the safety of everyone on board. “If the cabin crew says turn off your phone, that is not the time to argue. Aviation leaves no room for tiny mistakes, as even one error can endanger lives,” he stressed.
The NCAA spokesperson further highlighted that many passengers misunderstand the rationale behind the regulation, often debating whether switching off devices or using flight mode is sufficient. He clarified that with the new directive, there will now be a unified rule for all airlines in Nigeria: passengers must completely turn off their phones during take-off and landing.
The enforcement comes in the wake of a recent incident involving a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was banned from flying with Ibom Air after assaulting a flight attendant for instructing her to turn off her phone. The altercation, captured in a viral video, sparked nationwide conversations about aviation safety rules and compliance with cabin crew instructions.
Reiterating the importance of strict adherence, Capt. Najomo declared that the updated regulation eliminates any ambiguity around electronic devices during flights. “The era of flight mode is over. All passengers must now comply by switching off their devices entirely,” he said, urging the flying public to cooperate fully with airlines to ensure safety at all times.
