By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
ALL MOBILE phones and electronic devices must now be completely switched off during the take-off and landing phases of flights in Nigeria, following a directive by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo.
The NCAA said the new safety measure applies across all domestic airline operators, who are required to amend their operations manuals to reflect the directive and submit them for immediate approval.
Capt. Najomo also stated that the move is designed to remove ambiguity around the use of devices onboard and ensure safer flight operations.
According to the NCAA, passengers are no longer permitted to keep devices on flight mode.
“All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. There’s nothing like flight mode any longer. They must be switched off,” Najomo said.
He explained that the decision will remain under continuous review, noting that improvements in aircraft technology, safety enhancements, and evolving risk assessments may influence future changes.
“We remain alert to future review of this requirement as aircraft technological and safety enhancement improved risk assessment evolves,” he said.
Najomo stressed that ensuring the safety of the aviation system equates to safeguarding the country.
He further instructed airline crew members to communicate the directive to passengers, while passengers are required to comply fully with crew instructions.
In addressing wider aviation security, Najomo disclosed that a mock security response exercise would take place in Lagos and Abuja next week.
He said the exercise would involve aviation security personnel and law enforcement agencies to strengthen preparedness for potential threats.
“Aviation security personnel and law enforcement must be reinforced with training, professionalism, and clearly defined rules of engagement.
“All stakeholders, from airlines to intelligence partners, must work without silos to share threat intelligence and coordinate rapid response,” he said.
The NCAA DG also emphasised the need to manage unruly passenger behaviour through effective collaboration.
“The reality is that unruly acts can never be eliminated totally. So, we must be ready to manage and resolve these incidents, and if and when they occur, in line with the standard protocols, professionally and responsibly,” he said.
During the stakeholder meeting, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Peter Jiya, attributed persistent challenges in the sector to indiscipline and poor professionalism.
“Little sentiments here and there have not allowed us to do the needful.
“We are not to share blame, but we must know that we have a responsibility to the passengers, and we must do it without fear or favour,” Jiya said.
He added that existing rules and regulations were sufficient but called for proper implementation across all aviation agencies to complement NCAA’s efforts.
The NCAA Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, urged passengers with grievances to channel their complaints directly to the authority for resolution.
In a statement posted on X, Achimugu confirmed that the regulation concerning phones and other electronic devices had now been unified following an emergency meeting with stakeholders.
The NCAA said it would continue to work with stakeholders to ensure flight safety while reinforcing consumer rights and addressing complaints in line with international best practices.
