FAAN to Introduce Facial Recognition System for Faster, Safer Domestic Air Travel

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to deploy a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, as part of efforts to transform domestic air travel by making passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless.

The initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, will enable passengers to verify their identities using facial recognition technology, reducing dependence on physical identity documents at airports while strengthening aviation security.

The planned rollout was reviewed during a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, where both organisations discussed deployment strategies, security safeguards and measures aimed at improving the overall passenger experience at Nigerian airports.

Speaking on the initiative, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Adebola, said the introduction of V-Pass reflects the authority’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance passenger facilitation and reinforce security across domestic airports.

She explained that the system would provide travellers with a secure digital identity through a one-time enrolment process.

According to the plan, Nigerian passengers will enrol using their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture, while foreign travellers will register using their international passports through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology combined with biometric authentication.

Once enrolled, passengers will undergo identity verification before entering restricted airport areas and again before boarding their flights.

FAAN said the dual-verification process is designed to eliminate impersonation, prevent unauthorised access and combat identity fraud, while providing greater assurance to airport security agencies regarding passenger authentication.

To ensure a smooth transition, passengers will have the option of using self-service kiosks for registration and verification or receive assistance from trained FAAN personnel during the implementation phase.

The authority disclosed that electronic gates (E-Gates) will automate access to controlled airport areas, significantly reducing queues and improving passenger movement through terminals.

Developers of the system stated that biometric verification will take less than 30 seconds after enrolment, while first-time registration is expected to take approximately one minute.

Beyond passenger verification, the V-Pass platform will also provide airlines with secure digital access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics, enabling more efficient operational management.

FAAN, on its part, will operate a Central Management System capable of monitoring passenger movements, generating operational analytics and supporting future integration with other airport management systems.

The authority emphasised that data protection remains a key priority in the implementation of the project.

According to FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, the V-Pass platform has been designed to comply fully with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). Passenger information, they said, will not be stored on self-service kiosks or handheld devices, providing an additional layer of data security.

Ahead of the nationwide deployment, FAAN and its technology partner plan to embark on an extensive public sensitisation campaign to educate travellers on the operation and benefits of the new biometric verification system.

The awareness campaign will be conducted through television and radio broadcasts, social media platforms, airport public announcements and airline advisories to ensure passengers are familiar with the enrolment and verification process.

In addition, a live Proof of Concept demonstration and technical site assessment will be conducted before the system is fully deployed across domestic airports.

Ms Adebola described the V-Pass project as a major component of FAAN’s broader digital transformation agenda, noting that the authority is committed to modernising airport operations through innovative technologies.

She said that by integrating biometric identity verification with modern access control systems, FAAN aims to create a smarter, safer and more efficient airport environment for domestic travellers while improving security and enhancing the overall travel experience.