Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | by DAILY MENTOR NEWS
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a new directive mandating that all mobile phones and electronic devices must be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, announced the harmonized regulation on Tuesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), following an emergency meeting with industry stakeholders.
“Henceforth, the regulation regarding phones and other electronic devices in Nigeria has been unified: ALL PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF DURING THE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF TAKE OFF AND LANDING,” Achimugu stated.
The directive requires all airlines operating in Nigeria to amend their security protocols to comply, if their existing rules differ.
Importantly, the use of “airplane mode” during these critical phases is now banned until further review. Passengers must power down their devices completely to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
This move was prompted by recent controversies, including an incident involving Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight, who reportedly refused to switch off her phone before take-off. The incident escalated, leading to Emmanson’s arrest and public outcry over aviation safety and passenger discipline.
The NCAA’s new directive aims to eliminate any ambiguity around electronic device usage during flights, enhancing safety protocols across Nigeria’s aviation sector.