The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has issued a new safety directive requiring all airline passengers in the country to switch off their mobile phones completely during flights.

The order comes in the wake of recent controversies at airports, including a brawl involving a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and a flight attendant on Ibom Air. The incident, which sparked public debate, exposed confusion over whether devices should simply be placed on flight mode or switched off entirely.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, NCAA Director General, Chris Najomo, said the regulator had now taken a firm decision to avoid ambiguity. He explained that all phones and portable electronic devices must be switched off during the most critical phases of air travel — takeoff and landing.

Najomo stressed that the use of flight mode will no longer be acceptable. According to him, passengers must power down their devices completely in order to maintain safety and consistency across all Nigerian airlines.

He also directed all carriers to update their operators’ manuals to reflect this requirement and submit them to the NCAA for approval. The move, he said, would harmonize rules across the industry, prevent unnecessary disputes, and ensure safer skies for everyone.

The aviation chief assured the public that the Authority remains open to future reviews of the rule as aircraft technology advances. For now, however, he said compliance is non-negotiable.

Najomo further reminded passengers that while airlines have the duty to communicate the directive clearly, travelers themselves carry the responsibility to obey crew instructions. He urged Nigerians to see the regulation as part of a wider culture of aviation safety, rather than an inconvenience.

The NCAA’s latest announcement signals a tightening of flight rules in response to growing concerns about discipline, passenger behavior, and the need to uphold international safety standards in Nigerian airspace.