The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is deploying V-Pass, a biometric identity verification system, at domestic airports to enhance security and streamline passenger authentication.
System Enrollment and Operation
Developed with M/S Verxid Technologies Limited, V-Pass uses facial recognition to confirm passenger identities. Nigerian travelers register using their National Identification Number (NIN) combined with facial biometrics. Foreign passengers enroll by scanning international passports with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and biometric verification. Registration can take place via self-service kiosks or with assistance from FAAN staff. Biometric processing requires less than 30 seconds after the initial enrolment, which takes approximately one minute.
The system conducts dual
identity verification before passengers access restricted airport areas and again before boarding flights. Automated E-Gates will control entry, reduce queues, and improve passenger flow at Nigerian domestic airports.
Data Security and Privacy
The V-Pass platform complies with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). Passenger information is securely managed and not stored on kiosks or handheld devices. FAAN operates a Central Management System to monitor passenger movements, generate analytic reports, and provide airlines with secure access to flight schedules, passenger manifests, and boarding statistics.
Pre-Deployment Awareness and Testing
Before V-Pass is fully deployed, FAAN and Verxid Technologies will conduct a nationwide sensitisation campaign. This campaign will use television, radio, social
media, airport public announcements, and airline advisories to educate passengers on the new system. They will also perform a live Proof of Concept demonstration and carry out technical site assessments to ensure readiness.
Official Commitment and Passenger Impact
According to The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development emphasized the authority’s commitment to advancing technology for better passenger facilitation and aviation security across domestic airports. The V-Pass system aims to create a safer and more efficient airport environment by integrating biometric technology with modern access control, reducing reliance on physical IDs, and enhancing the overall travel experience
for domestic air passengers in Nigeria.
