The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has endorsed Univasa Nigeria Limited’s eSIM service as a solution to internet connectivity challenges faced by Nigerian passengers travelling abroad.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the Authority’s support for the initiative was driven by the need to improve passenger experience and provide travellers with easier and more affordable access to internet services while outside the country.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on the initiative, Achimugu said connectivity had remained a persistent challenge for Nigerian travellers, particularly those who have to purchase data or rely on expensive roaming services after arriving at foreign destinations.
“For too long, we have had internet connectivity problems for Nigerian passengers at our airports in Nigeria and abroad. Nigerians spend a lot of money to connect to the internet abroad. We identified the problem, and this is part of our efforts to solve the problem and make travel experience better for passengers,” he said.
Achimugu explained that the NCAA assessed the service and obtained feedback from users before deciding to support the initiative. He added that the initiative was also consistent with the Federal Government’s policy of supporting local businesses capable of providing solutions to identified challenges.
According to him, Univasa is a Nigerian-owned company offering a service that addresses a significant need among international travellers.
The NCAA’s Senior Special Assistant to the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Ifueko Abdulmalik, said the initiative could make travelling more convenient by enabling passengers to remain connected when entering or leaving the country.
“From the customer angle, we think that this would help passengers improve their travel experience. We know that there are a lot of issues with connectivity for passengers going out of Nigeria and coming into the country,” she said.
Abdulmalik added that reliable internet access would make it easier for passengers to communicate, navigate unfamiliar destinations and access essential services during their journeys.
The Managing Director of Univasa Nigeria Limited, Ben Adeniyi, said the company’s eSIM service was developed to help international travellers stay connected without having to depend on airport Wi-Fi or purchase a new SIM card upon arrival.
He said the service provides connectivity across more than 150 countries and 200 destinations. For travellers whose devices do not support eSIM technology, the company also offers a physical SIM product known as P-SIM.
Adeniyi explained that Univasa is able to offer competitive data prices through bulk purchases, while its network agreements enable users to access multiple networks in different destinations.
He added that the service can switch between available networks where necessary, providing travellers with an alternative to conventional roaming arrangements and local SIM purchases.
The NCAA said its support for the initiative reflects its broader focus on improving passenger experience and encouraging solutions that make air travel more convenient for Nigerians.
