NCAA Endorses Univasa’s eSIM Service to Solve Travel Connectivity Woes

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has thrown its weight behind a new eSIM service by Univasa Nigeria Limited, a move aimed at resolving persistent internet access challenges for Nigerian travellers abroad.

Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said the endorsement stems from the regulator’s commitment to improving passenger experience and tackling the high cost of staying connected overseas.

“For too long, Nigerian passengers have struggled with internet connectivity at airports and abroad. Many spend heavily just to stay online,” Achimugu said. “We identified this as a real problem, and supporting Univasa is part of our effort to fix it.”

He noted the initiative also aligns with the Aviation Minister’s five-point agenda, which prioritises backing local businesses. Univasa, he stressed, is a Nigerian-owned company offering a solution that meets international standards.

“When Univasa approached us with this service, we assessed it carefully. We gathered feedback from actual users before deciding to support it. This isn’t a rushed endorsement,” Achimugu added.

Univasa’s Managing Director, Dr. Ben Adeniyi, explained the service provides both eSIM and physical SIM options to accommodate different phone models. The physical SIM, branded P-SIM, targets users whose devices lack eSIM compatibility.

The company currently offers coverage across more than 150 countries and 200 destinations, leveraging bulk data purchases to keep prices competitive.

“Connectivity is a major pain point for travellers. Univasa helps people stay connected the moment they land, without depending on unreliable airport Wi-Fi or expensive roaming,” Adeniyi said.

Mrs. Ifueko Abdulmalik, Senior Special Assistant to the NCAA Director General, said the regulator’s backing reflects a broader push to ease communication hurdles for passengers moving in and out of Nigeria.

“Anything that makes the journey smoother and more comfortable for passengers is something we will support. This service does exactly that,” she said.

Engr. Halimat Adediran, Vice President of the Nigeria Society of Engineers and an active eSIM user, highlighted the technology’s flexibility, noting it allows users to switch automatically between networks where necessary to maintain connection.

The endorsement signals NCAA’s growing focus on passenger-centred innovations, particularly those addressing long-standing gaps in the travel experience.