BREAKING: NCAA Bans Phone Use During Aircraft Take-Off and Landing

NCAA has banned phone use during aircraft take-off and landing.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all mobile phones must henceforth be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing.

The decision follows recent cases of unruly passenger behaviour across Nigerian airports, which have raised safety and security concerns.

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Announcing the new rule on Tuesday at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) meeting in Abuja, NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, said airlines would soon receive an official memo to update their protocols accordingly.

Najomo cautioned that failure to properly address incidents of unruly conduct in the aviation sector could erode public trust. He stressed that the meeting was not about apportioning blame but about analysing failures, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and adopting corrective measures to ensure passenger safety.

“Today’s engagement is about listening, discussing, and awakening us to our responsibilities towards a safe and secure air transport sector,” Najomo said.

He further emphasised the importance of continuous training for aviation staff to prevent future lapses in handling security incidents.

Also speaking, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, reiterated that passengers must comply with crew instructions at all times. He noted that while travellers have rights, they must also uphold their responsibilities to guarantee flight safety.

Achimugu pointed out that unruly behaviour is treated seriously worldwide, but Nigeria remains more humane in handling such cases. He added that lessons had been learned from recent controversies, including incidents involving entertainer KWAM 1, passenger Comfort Emmanson, and cabin crew disputes.

He urged aviation security agencies to tighten enforcement measures and apply regulations more consistently to prevent future breaches.