The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has endorsed an eSIM connectivity solution developed by Univasa Nigeria Limited, describing the initiative as a practical response to internet connectivity challenges faced by Nigerian travellers abroad.
The aviation regulatory agency issued a “no objection” to the service, noting that the initiative has the potential to improve passenger experience by ensuring seamless internet access for travellers across international destinations.
Univasa Nigeria Limited, an information technology and telecommunications company, provides connectivity through more than 400 telecommunications networks worldwide.
Speaking at a UNIVASA-NCAA stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, said the Authority remained committed to supporting innovative solutions aimed at addressing challenges confronting air passengers.
Achimugu said reliable internet connectivity has become increasingly important for international travellers, particularly those who need to stay in touch with family members, business associates and other contacts upon arrival at their destinations.
He noted that many Nigerian passengers often face difficulties accessing internet services in foreign countries, forcing them to purchase local data packages or depend on expensive international roaming services.
According to him, the NCAA’s support for the Univasa eSIM initiative is part of efforts to address gaps in the aviation ecosystem and make air travel more convenient for Nigerian passengers.
“When we identify a problem, we seek to solve those problems to make the travel experience better for Nigerian passengers,” Achimugu said.
He added that feedback from users of the platform had been positive, noting that the initiative also supports the Federal Government’s drive to encourage indigenous companies offering innovative solutions to local and global challenges.
Achimugu further disclosed that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has used the service during international trips, while some aviation industry chief executives have also adopted the platform.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the NCAA Director-General, Mrs. Ifueko Abdulmalik, said the Authority was interested in the initiative because of its potential to improve communication and convenience for travellers.
She observed that passengers travelling into and out of Nigeria frequently experience connectivity challenges and said easy access to internet services could significantly enhance their overall travel experience.
“From the customer angle, we think that this would help passengers improve their travel experience,” Abdulmalik said.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Univasa Nigeria Limited, Dr. Ben Adeniyi, said the eSIM service was designed to meet the growing demand for immediate and reliable connectivity among international travellers.
He explained that the Univasa eSIM currently provides connectivity in more than 150 countries and over 200 destinations.
Adeniyi added that the company also offers a physical SIM, known as P-SIM, for users whose mobile devices do not support eSIM technology.
He said reliable internet access has become essential for travellers seeking to communicate with family, friends, business partners and other contacts while abroad.
According to him, Univasa’s ability to purchase data in large volumes enables the company to offer its services at competitive rates.
The Vice President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a partner with Univasa Nigeria Limited, Engr. Dr. Halimat Adediran, said the company had secured partnerships with several telecommunications networks across different countries.
She explained that the technology is designed to switch between available networks when one network experiences poor quality, helping users maintain uninterrupted connectivity.
Adediran said the service provides travellers with an alternative to purchasing local data plans or relying on traditional international roaming services.
Stakeholders at the engagement said the initiative demonstrates how technology can be deployed to address connectivity challenges faced by Nigerian international travellers while improving the overall passenger experience.