The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to introduce a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, as part of efforts to modernise domestic air travel, strengthen aviation security and improve passenger processing at airports across the country.
The new facial recognition platform, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, is expected to enable passengers to verify their identities using facial biometrics, reducing dependence on physical identification documents during airport screening and boarding.
The planned rollout was the focus of a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, where both parties reviewed deployment plans, security protocols and measures aimed at enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Speaking during the meeting, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola, said the initiative reflects the Authority’s commitment to deploying innovative technology to improve passenger facilitation while strengthening aviation security at domestic airports.
She explained that V-Pass will provide passengers with a secure digital identity through a one-time enrolment process. Nigerian travellers will enrol using their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture, while foreign passengers will register with their international passports using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and biometric authentication.
According to her, passengers will undergo biometric verification before accessing restricted airport areas and again before boarding their flights, creating a dual-verification process designed to prevent impersonation, unauthorised access and identity fraud while boosting confidence in passenger authentication.
She added that passengers will be able to complete the process through self-service kiosks or receive assistance from FAAN personnel during the rollout phase.
The system will also introduce electronic gates (E-Gates) to automate access into controlled areas, reduce waiting time and improve passenger flow within airport terminals. Biometric verification after enrolment is expected to take less than 30 seconds, while first-time registration will be completed in about one minute.
Beyond passenger processing, V-Pass will provide airlines with secure access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics through a dedicated digital platform. FAAN will also operate a Central Management System capable of monitoring passenger movement, generating operational analytics and supporting future integration with other airport management systems.
FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited stressed that data protection remains a key component of the project. They noted that the system complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), while assuring that passengers’ biometric information will not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices.
Ahead of the nationwide deployment, both organisations plan to embark on an extensive public sensitisation campaign through television, radio, social media, airport announcements and airline communication channels to educate travellers on the use and benefits of the V-Pass system.
A live proof-of-concept demonstration and technical site assessment are also expected to be conducted before the system is fully deployed.
Ms. Adebola described V-Pass as a major component of FAAN’s ongoing digital transformation programme, expressing confidence that the adoption of biometric technology and automated access control would deliver a smarter, safer and more efficient travel experience for domestic air passengers in Nigeria.
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