The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has petitioned the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) to conduct a comprehensive technology status evaluation of Nigerian airlines.
NEFGAD’s petition follows the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) recent directive that all mobile phones must be completely switched off during flight take-off and landing.
In a statement signed by Omoniyi Akingunola, NEFGAD’s head of office, the organisation acknowledged NCAA’s responsibility to ensure aviation safety but described the directive as outdated and inconsistent with international standards.
The group said global aviation regulators such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) permit the use of mobile devices in flight mode.
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NEFGAD said major airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, and Air France also offer in-flight WiFi and GSM connectivity without compromising safety.
The group raised concerns about whether Nigerian airlines are technologically behind global standards and questioned if NOTAP has assessed the avionics, shielding, and communication technologies in Nigerian commercial aircraft.
The group urged NOTAP to evaluate the level of avionics and shielding technologies against passenger mobile signal interference, the readiness of Nigerian aircraft for safe in-flight connectivity, and benchmark Nigerian airlines against ICAO-compliant international standards.
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“The NCAA directive therefore raises urgent questions: Are Nigerian airlines technologically behind international aviation standards? Has NOTAP recently assessed the avionics, shielding, and communication technologies in Nigerian commercial aircraft?” NEFGAD questions.
“Does this directive reflect a genuine safety concern, or does it expose gaps in Nigeria’s aviation technology acquisition, adaptation, and application?
“Our requests:NEFGAD hereby implores NOTAP to urgently conduct a Technology Status Evaluation of Nigerian Airlines, focusing on the level of avionics and shielding technologies against passenger mobile signal interference. Readiness of Nigerian aircraft for safe in-flight connectivity (WiFi, GSM, and satellite communication systems).”
The petition calls for evidence-based and forward-looking NCAA regulations that align with global best practices, aiming to boost Nigeria’s aviation competitiveness, technological advancement, and passenger confidence.
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