Air passengers in Nigeria may soon have a clearer picture of where their checked luggage is, as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) moves to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology across the country’s airports.

The initiative is designed to tackle persistent baggage-handling problems, including missing, misrouted and short-landed luggage, while giving passengers the ability to monitor their bags in real time from check-in until they arrive at their destination.

The NCAA said discussions have already been held with domestic airlines, aviation service providers and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to finalise plans for the transition to RFID baggage tagging.

Unlike the conventional barcode-based process, the new system is expected to provide better visibility of luggage as it moves through different stages of the airport journey. This could also make it easier for airlines to trace bags and resolve passenger complaints when problems occur.

The move is part of broader efforts to introduce technology into Nigeria’s aviation sector. The NCAA said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has approved plans for relevant agencies to examine the technology and report back before implementation.

If successfully implemented, the RFID system could significantly change how passengers deal with one of the most frustrating parts of air travel in Nigeria: arriving at their destination without knowing where their luggage is.