THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a biometric facial recognition system, V-Pass, to enhance passenger processing at its domestic airports, as announced in a statement on its official X account.
The rollout of the biometric passenger identity verification system, VPASS, comes after the Federal Government’s approval, aiming to close gaps in current passenger identification processes and enhance airport security.
FAAN said passengers will only need to complete a one-time enrolment before using the V-Pass system for future journeys, enabling automated identity verification through facial recognition.
“The new biometric facial recognition system will make passenger processing faster, safer, and more seamless across FAAN-managed domestic airports.
“With a simple one-time enrolment, passengers can verify their identity through facial recognition, reducing reliance on physical ID documents, enhancing security, and shortening queues through automated e-Gates,” it said.
FAAN announced that the platform prioritizes data privacy and adheres to the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), with further updates on public sensitization and nationwide rollout to follow.
The Federal Government initiated the rollout of VPASS in April 2026 to enhance passenger identification, security, transparency, and operational efficiency as part of aviation sector reforms.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated that the contactless biometric system aims to eliminate vulnerabilities in current passenger verification methods.
Infrastructure deployment will be managed by VERXID Technologies Limited, accompanied by a nationwide sensitization campaign prior to full implementation. This initiative aims to resolve longstanding security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in manual passenger verification, marking a critical move towards digitizing passenger identity management in Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector.
The Federal Government is deploying electronic gates (e-gates) at international airports to enhance immigration clearance and border security. E-gates can process eligible passengers in under 30 seconds, with eight installed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and 21 planned for Murtala Muhammed International Airport due to higher traffic.
Additional plans include four e-gates each at airports in Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt, aiming for a total of 41 nationwide.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s airport operations through technology.