The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is implementing V-Pass, a biometric identity verification system for domestic air travel within Nigeria. Developed in partnership with M/S Verxid Technologies Limited, V-Pass leverages facial recognition technology to verify passengers, aiming to accelerate and secure airport processes by minimizing dependence on physical identification documents.
Passenger Enrolment and Dual Verification Process
Under V-Pass, Nigerian travelers will register using their National Identity Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture. Foreign passengers will enrol through international passports employing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and biometric authentication. Verification occurs at two critical points: upon entry to restricted airport areas and before boarding aircraft. This dual
verification is intended to prevent impersonation, unauthorized access, and identity fraud.
Passenger Experience and Verification Technology
During the rollout phase, passengers will access V-Pass through self-service kiosks or receive support from FAAN staff. Biometric verification at entry points and boarding gates is expected to take less than 30 seconds following the initial enrolment, which lasts about one minute. Installation of electronic gates (E-Gates) will automate entry, decrease queues, and enhance passenger flow within controlled airport zones.
Digital Platform and Central Management System
V-Pass equips airlines with secure access to real-time flight schedules, passenger manifests, and boarding statistics via a dedicated digital platform. FAAN will operate a Central Management System to monitor
passenger movements, generate analytics, and enable future integration with other airport systems, supporting operational oversight and planning.
Data Privacy Compliance and Sensitisation Campaign
FAAN confirmed that V-Pass complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), ensuring that passenger data will not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices. Prior to full deployment, FAAN and Verxid Technologies plan a nationwide sensitisation campaign through television, radio, social media, airport announcements, and airline communications to prepare passengers for the new system. A live Proof of Concept demonstration and technical site assessment will precede the comprehensive rollout.
FAAN’s Digital Transformation and Security Strategy
As part of FAAN’s broader digital transformation agenda, V-Pass aims to enhance aviation
security and streamline passenger facilitation across Nigeria’s domestic airports. Ms Adebola, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, stated that V-Pass reflects the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology for improved security and efficiency. The system aligns with global trends in biometric use for transportation security, reducing reliance on manual identity checks and reinforcing access control integrity.
According to FAAN, “Nigerian passengers will register with their NIN and facial biometric capture, while foreign passengers will enrol using international passports through OCR and biometric authentication. The system will check passengers before they enter restricted areas and again before boarding.”
