When the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) convened on 19 August 2025, it wasn’t to plan a vacation—they were in crisis-control mode. In an emergency meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NSASC) and aviation stakeholders in Abuja, the NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo dropped a safety bombshell:

To avoid ambiguity… all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during the critical stage of flight on all Nigerian airlines. No flight mode any longer.

That’s right, dear passengers: your beloved flight-mode toggles—once the golden rules of boarding—are now relegated to the digital museum.

Two Incidents That Forced Change

1. KWAM 1 vs. ValueJet: When a Fuji Star Grounded Himself

On 5 August 2025, Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) was deplaned before a ValueJet flight from Abuja to Lagos after the crew suspected his flask contained alcohol, which is strictly prohibited on Nigerian flights. He insisted it was medication, refused to comply, and physically blocked the aircraft from taxiing by standing in front of it—prompting a dangerous take-off with ground staff dodging the wing.

The NCAA responded swiftly on 6 August, suspending the two pilots involved for violating pre-departure clearance protocols and putting KWAM 1 on a no-fly list.

2. Ibom Air Altercation: A Cabin Brawl Gone Wrong

Barely days later, on 10 August, an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos turned into a public relations nightmare. A tussle between cabin crew and passenger Comfort Emmanson escalated into a brawl, culminating in videos showing her clothes being ripped off—a humiliating scene that made headlines across Nigeria.

The NCAA quickly invited both Emmanson and the crew member involved to Abuja to face questioning—a clear move signalling that such episodes would no longer be brushed aside.

Safety First, Even for Devices

The NCAA’s directive isn’t just about zeroing in on passenger misbehaviour—it’s a broader reinforcement of aviation safety culture. Under IATA and ICAO standards, cabin communications and avionics must remain interference-free during critical flight phases, including take-off and landing. While many jurisdictions, including the FAA, allow flight mode, the NCAA has opted for a full device shutdown for now, citing Nigeria’s context and infrastructure.

In Najomo’s words:

“We remain alert to future review of this requirement as aircraft technological and safety enhancement evolves.”

This suggests a horizon ahead where, as aircraft systems modernise, the regulation might relax—but until then, phone swap to “power-off” mode during landing is your safest bet.

IATA & ICAO Context

• IATA Guidance: IATA permits electronic devices in flight mode provided they do not interfere with avionics, but insists member airlines establish strict cabin discipline. Nigeria’s zero-tolerance move reflects a sharper edge to that same principle.
  
• ICAO Standards: ICAO Annexe 6 requires operators to eliminate “any possible source of interference during critical phases of flight.” The NCAA’s blanket ban is an aggressive interpretation—some may call it restrictive, while others would call it proactive.
  
• Global Contrast: In Europe and North America, regulators have leaned toward relaxing device bans, with many airlines now offering gate-to-gate Wi-Fi. Nigeria’s decision swings the pendulum back toward safety before convenience.

By The Numbers: Nigeria’s Aviation Landscape

Such a dense and dynamic aviation ecosystem—Africa’s busiest—demands nothing short of zero tolerance when it comes to safety breaches.

Check out the excellent opinion from us at – Op-Ed: Final Boarding Call on Discipline, Duty, and Dignity