The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched a biometric facial recognition system, known as V-Pass, to streamline passenger processing, strengthen security, and reduce waiting times at domestic airports.
The new system, unveiled on Thursday, forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise airport operations through digital technology.
According to FAAN, passengers will only need to register once before using the V-Pass platform for future flights. Once enrolled, travellers will be able to verify their identities through facial recognition technology, eliminating the need for repeated presentation of physical identification documents.
The authority said the system will speed up passenger processing through automated electronic gates while enhancing airport security. “The new biometric facial recognition system will make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across FAAN-managed domestic airports,” the agency said.
It added that the platform was designed with privacy in mind and complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The rollout follows the Federal Government’s approval of the V-Pass initiative in April 2026 as part of broader reforms aimed at improving passenger identification, operational efficiency and aviation security.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had said the contactless biometric system would eliminate weaknesses in the current passenger verification process while improving transparency across Nigeria’s airports.
The biometric infrastructure is being deployed by VERXID Technologies Limited, with a nationwide public awareness campaign expected ahead of full implementation.
The V-Pass initiative is expected to complement the government’s ongoing deployment of automated electronic gates at international airports.
Eight e-gates have already been installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, while 21 are planned for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Additional installations are also planned for the international airports in Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
Once fully deployed, the e-gates are expected to process eligible passengers in less than 30 seconds, significantly reducing queues and improving the overall travel experience.
With the introduction of V-Pass, FAAN says Nigeria is taking another major step toward digitising passenger identity verification and building a faster, safer and more efficient aviation system.
