The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday, 19 August, 2025 ordered all airlines operating in the country to henceforth enforce a mandatory phone switch-off for passengers during take-off and landing.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who conveyed the directives via his official X account on Tuesday, 19 August, 2025, explained that the regulation on phones and other electronic devices has now been unified across the industry.
While emphasizing that all phones must be completely switched off during the critical phases of take-off and landing, and airlines are required to amend their security programmes accordingly, the Authourity also clarified that airplane mode will no longer be permitted until the regulations are reviewed to reflect evolving technological developments.
“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’s post read.
Achimugu added that with this directive, airlines are expected to review their operational and security manuals to align with the updated policy, ensuring stricter compliance during the most sensitive phases of flight.
