Travellers in Nigeria will now be required to completely power down their mobile phones — not place them on flight mode — during take-off and landing, following a fresh directive issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after a heated emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at NCAA, confirmed the new policy in an official statement via X (formerly Twitter), stressing that existing aviation safety regulations on electronic devices had been fully harmonised and all airlines must immediately comply.
The tougher rule comes amid mounting concerns about passenger behaviour, viral mid-air confrontations and the rising misuse of smartphones to record in-flight incidents. Industry insiders say the directive is aimed at preventing interference with cockpit equipment and curbing conflict triggered by device-related arguments.
Airlines have been notified to update their cabin announcements and step up enforcement procedures, while flight attendants are authorised to refuse disembarkation or hand over violators to aviation security for prosecution under the new framework.
The directive follows the controversy surrounding Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson and cabin crew member Juliana Edward, whose altercation over phone usage led to allegations of assault and embarrassment that shook public confidence in aviation ethics.
Speaking anonymously, one pilot described the rule as “long overdue,” saying passengers frequently argue about flight mode versus full switch-off, creating distractions during the most sensitive phases of flight. He called on cabin crew to receive better training on crisis de-escalation.
NCAA maintains that the new rule is part of a sweeping safety upgrade package and warns that airlines or passengers who flout the regulation will face sanctions ranging from heavy fines to outright blacklisting as Nigeria seeks to restore discipline in its skies.
