Why Nigerian passengers must understand the NCAA switch-off phone directive

Events of the last few weeks have no doubt put Nigeria’s aviation industry on the front burner as the country’s skies were becoming stormier—not because of turbulence, but because of passenger rage. Idris Alooma explains what passengers must know about the new NCAA phone directive:

Air travel is supposed to be a seamless experience: passengers board, stow their luggage, switch off their phones, and listen calmly to the flight attendant’s instructions. But in Nigeria’s increasingly tense aviation industry, this basic safety ritual is now sparking heated confrontations.

Firstly, passengers must know that air travel is built on layers of safety. Every instruction given by cabin crew, every checklist followed by pilots, and every regulation issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is designed to keep passengers safe. Yet, one of the simplest directives— “switch off your mobile phone”—remains one of the most misunderstood and frequently ignored by Nigerian passengers.

The pronouncement by the Director General Civil Aviation, Captain Chirs Najomo at an emergency meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee and stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, 19, August would have been unnecessary if passengers in Nigeria obey simple basic instructions upon arrival at the airports. However, the DGCA acknowledged that it is a lapse in the industry and must be fixed. “We have a lapse here, and that is the lapse we’re talking about. Going further, we must make sure those lapses are covered.” He told stakeholders.

In a digital age where people depend on their phones for business, banking, and even boarding passes, many travellers see the instruction as inconvenient or unnecessary. Some dismiss it as outdated, insisting that phones can stay on airplane mode. Others openly resist, sparking clashes with cabin crew. But what many don’t realise is that the directive is not arbitrary. It is grounded in global safety principles and Nigeria’s operational realities.

The Science Behind the Rule

Mobile phones, when switched on, emit electromagnetic signals as they connect to cell towers. In rare cases, these signals can interfere with an aircraft’s avionics—its navigation, communication, and monitoring systems. While modern aircraft are built to withstand such interference, Nigeria still operates a mixed fleet that includes older aircraft models, where the risks may be higher.

International aviation regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), recommend strict limits on phone usage during critical phases of flight—take-off and landing—when even minor disruptions can have serious consequences. The NCAA’s directive aligns with this precautionary principle: better safe than sorry.

Nigeria’s Unique Context

Globally, many airlines now permit phones in airplane mode throughout the flight. But Nigeria faces peculiar challenges: Older aircraft still in operation may be more vulnerable to interference.

Inconsistent passenger compliance makes enforcement tricky. Unlike markets where passengers obey crew instructions without debate, Nigerian travellers often resist, weakening safety culture.

Communication gaps between airlines and passengers fuel mistrust. Many passengers simply don’t know why they must switch off devices.

In this environment, regulators and airlines adopt stricter rules to eliminate ambiguity and reduce risks.

Beyond Phones: The Authority of the Cabin Crew

The phone directive is not just about technology—it is about discipline and respect for aviation safety culture. In global aviation, disobeying a crew member is a serious offence that can lead to arrest, fines, or blacklisting. This is because a single passenger’s defiance can jeopardise the safety of hundreds.

In Nigeria, however, enforcement has been weak. Passengers argue with crew, delay flights, and in some cases record incidents to shame airlines online. This behaviour erodes the authority of cabin crew and threatens orderly operations. The NCAA’s directive therefore doubles as a reminder: on board, safety is non-negotiable, and the crew’s word is law.

Passenger Rage vs Passenger Safety

The directive also comes at a time when “passenger rage” is on the rise. Delays, high ticket prices, and poor communication already leave many travellers irritable before they even board. When told to switch off their phones—often the last link to business or family—frustration sometimes boils over.

But safety rules cannot be compromised because of passenger anger. Understanding the rationale behind the directive is the first step in reducing such confrontations.

The Future: Technology Will Evolve, But Safety Remains

Eventually, as Nigeria upgrades its aviation fleet and aligns with global best practices, passengers may be allowed to keep devices on airplane mode throughout flights. Some airlines may even offer inflight Wi-Fi. But until then, the directive to switch off phones is both a technical precaution and a disciplinary safeguard.

Passengers who ignore it are not only risking interference with flight systems but also challenging the authority of the crew, which undermines the very foundation of aviation safety.

The irony is that the “switch off” directive may eventually be overtaken by technology. Newer aircraft are designed to withstand electromagnetic interference, and many global airlines now permit the use of phones in airplane mode throughout flights. Some even provide inflight connectivity services, turning phones from safety risks into revenue streams.

But until Nigeria’s aviation fleet modernises and regulators adjust policies, enforcement of the switch-off rule will remain a flashpoint.

The Way Forward: Safety, Communication, and Sanctions

Experts say the solution lies not in abandoning safety rules but in improving communication and enforcement. Airlines must explain clearly, in plain language, why phones must be switched off—bridging the gap between technical jargon and public understanding.

At the same time, regulators must back crew members with legal authority. Passengers who disobey safety instructions should face penalties, as is standard elsewhere. Without consequences, unruly behaviour will spread, undermining crew morale and flight safety.

Finally, investment in fleet modernisation could make the issue redundant. As more Nigerian airlines acquire newer aircraft, the global practice of permitting phones on airplane mode could be adopted, aligning safety with passenger convenience.

A Ticking Time Bomb

The “switch off phone” directive is more than a safety measure; it is a mirror reflecting the fragile relationship between Nigerian airlines and their passengers. In a country where frustrations run high, every instruction carries the risk of confrontation.

Unless communication improves, sanctions are enforced, and trust is rebuilt, the skies may become an even stormier place—not because of turbulence, but because of passenger rage.

Obedience Saves Lives

For Nigerian passengers, the message is clear: switching off your phone is not about inconvenience—it’s about safety. Every time you comply, you contribute to a chain of discipline and precaution that keeps air travel one of the safest modes of transport in the world.

As the NCAA has repeatedly stressed, safety rules are written in the ink of past accidents. Understanding and obeying them is not optional; it is a civic duty. After all, when you step on board an aircraft, your safety is shared with everyone else. And sometimes, that safety depends on the simple act of switching off your phone.