By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a directive mandating all airlines operating within the country to enforce a complete shutdown of passengers’ mobile phones during take-off and landing.
The directive was announced by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, via his official X account on Tuesday.
According to the NCAA, the regulation regarding the use of mobile phones and electronic devices has now been standardized across the aviation industry. Passengers are no longer permitted to use airplane mode during these critical phases of flight.
“Henceforth, the regulation per 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.
All airlines must amend their security programmes to reflect this if different in their current programmes.
No more airplane mode until regulations are reviewed to reflect evolving technological situations,” Achimugu wrote.
Airlines are now expected to update their operational and security manuals to comply with this revised policy, ensuring stricter enforcement during flight departures and landings.
The NCAA’s new directive follows a recent incident involving a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, and Ibom Air.
The altercation began when Ms. Emmanson allegedly refused to turn off her phone before take-off on a flight from Uyo to Lagos. The situation escalated upon landing, resulting in a confrontation with the cabin crew and security personnel.
She was subsequently arrested on August 10 and charged with unruly behavior and assault. In response, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime flight ban on her—a move that stirred public controversy.
Critics, including legal experts, argued that only the NCAA had the legal authority to impose such broad sanctions and that disciplinary actions must follow due process.
After intervention by the Federal Government and stakeholder consultations, the ban was lifted following an expression of remorse by the passenger. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the resolution, with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) also supporting the decision.
The matter was officially concluded last Wednesday when an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court struck out the case after Ibom Air formally withdrew its complaint. Ms. Emmanson, who had been held at Kirikiri Prison, was discharged and released following the court’s ruling.
