BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to revolutionise domestic air travel with the introduction of V-Pass, a biometric identity verification system that will enable passengers to use facial recognition technology for faster, safer and more seamless airport processing.
The new platform, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, is expected to reduce reliance on physical identity documents by providing travellers with a secure digital identity that can be verified at key airport checkpoints.
The initiative was reviewed during a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies, where both parties fine-tuned deployment plans, security protocols and implementation strategies aimed at enhancing passenger experience across Nigeria’s domestic airports.
Speaking on the project, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Adebola, said the introduction of V-Pass underscores the authority’s commitment to deploying technology-driven solutions that improve passenger facilitation while strengthening aviation security.
She explained that the biometric platform forms part of FAAN’s broader digital transformation agenda designed to modernise airport operations and align Nigeria with global best practices in passenger processing.
Under the new system, passengers will complete a one-time enrolment process to obtain a secure digital identity.
Nigerian travellers will register using their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture, while foreign passengers will enrol with their international passports through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology combined with biometric authentication.
Once enrolled, passengers will be able to verify their identities through facial recognition without repeatedly presenting physical identification documents.
According to FAAN, the technology will authenticate passengers at multiple security points, including before they enter restricted airport areas and again at the boarding gate.
The authority said the dual-verification process is expected to significantly reduce cases of impersonation, identity fraud and unauthorised access to secure airport zones while giving aviation security agencies greater confidence in passenger authentication.
To ensure a smooth transition, passengers will have the option of completing the enrolment process through self-service kiosks located at airports or with assistance from trained FAAN personnel.
The authority disclosed that first-time registration is expected to take about one minute, while subsequent biometric verification will be completed in less than 30 seconds.
As part of the deployment, electronic gates (E-Gates) will also be introduced at designated access points to automate passenger screening, shorten queues and improve passenger flow, particularly during peak travel periods.
Beyond passenger processing, V-Pass will provide airlines with secure digital access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics through an integrated platform, thereby improving operational efficiency.
FAAN will also operate a Central Management System capable of tracking passenger movement in real time, generating operational analytics and supporting future integration with other airport management systems.
The authority stressed that data protection and passenger privacy remain central to the project.
According to FAAN, the system has been designed to comply fully with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), with passenger information protected through secure encryption.
It added that biometric data will not be stored on airport kiosks or handheld devices, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
Ahead of the nationwide rollout, FAAN and Verxid Technologies will embark on an extensive public sensitisation campaign to educate travellers on the benefits and operation of the new system.
The awareness programme will be carried out through television and radio broadcasts, social media campaigns, airport public address systems and airline advisories to ensure passengers are adequately informed before implementation begins.
In addition, a live Proof of Concept demonstration and technical site assessment will be conducted at selected airports to validate the system’s readiness before full deployment across the country.
FAAN expressed confidence that the introduction of V-Pass will transform the domestic travel experience by reducing processing time, strengthening airport security and improving operational efficiency.
The authority said the initiative marks another milestone in its efforts to build a smarter, safer and technology-driven airport system capable of meeting the growing demands of air travellers in Nigeria while supporting the country’s aviation modernisation agenda.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
