In a landmark directive that signals a major victory for disability rights in aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all domestic airlines: integrate a mandatory "Special Needs" assistance option on your booking platforms, or face the consequences.

For years, Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and passengers with disabilities have been treated as second-class citizens in Nigerian skies—forced to endure humiliating physical checks, denied boarding, or stranded without wheelchairs. The new order, signed by NCAA Director of Public Affairs Michael Achimugu, demands a systemic overhaul.Airlines must now place a conspicuous, mandatory field on their websites and apps allowing passengers to request assistance at the point of booking. This removes the excuse of "we didn't know you were coming" often used by ground staff to justify poor service.

A Flight Plan for Equality

The directive is backed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023, but enforcement has always been the weak link. The NCAA’s new stance suggests a zero-tolerance approach. The key requirements are:

• Digital Integration: No more calling a busy customer service line. The request must be embedded in the ticket purchase flow.
• Active Inquiry: Airlines are obligated to ask if a passenger needs help, shifting the burden of disclosure from the passenger to the service provider.
• Sanctions: The Authority has threatened regulatory sanctions for non-compliance after the seven-day window expires.

The Human Cost of Negligence

This policy shift comes after a series of viral social media incidents where wheelchair users were carried up boarding stairs like luggage or left on the tarmac. "It is about dignity," said a disability rights advocate in Lagos. "We are paying customers, not cargo. This directive forces airlines to plan for us, rather than treating us as an operational inconvenience."

The move brings Nigeria in line with global best practices, but the real test will be on the tarmac. Will the airlines invest in the necessary equipment (ambulifts, aisle chairs) to fulfill these requests? Or will the "tick box" on the website remain just that—a digital gesture with no physical reality? The NCAA has drawn the line; now the airlines must step up or be grounded.