The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric identity verification system aimed at making domestic air travel faster, more secure and more convenient for passengers.
The system, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, will allow travellers to confirm their identities through facial recognition technology, reducing dependence on physical identification documents during airport processes.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, disclosed the development in a statement, noting that the initiative was reviewed during a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited.
The meeting focused on deployment strategies, security measures and ways to improve the overall passenger experience as the system prepares for implementation.
FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Adebola, said the project reflects the authority’s commitment to using technology to enhance passenger movement and strengthen security operations across domestic airports.
Through the V-Pass platform, passengers will receive a secure digital identity after completing a one-time enrolment process. Nigerian travellers will register using their National Identification Number (NIN) and facial biometric details, while foreign passengers will enrol with their international passports through optical character recognition (OCR) and biometric authentication.
The system will verify passengers before they access restricted airport areas and again before boarding flights.
FAAN said the dual-verification process is designed to reduce identity fraud, prevent impersonation and stop unauthorised access, while giving security agencies greater confidence in passenger identification.
During the initial rollout, passengers will have access to self-service kiosks or assistance from FAAN personnel to complete the registration process.
The authority explained that electronic gates (E-Gates) integrated into the system will automate access to controlled areas, reduce waiting times and improve passenger flow within airports.
According to the developers, biometric verification will take less than 30 seconds for already enrolled passengers, while first-time registration is expected to take approximately one minute.
The V-Pass platform will also allow airlines secure digital access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding information through an online interface.
FAAN added that the system’s Central Management System will enable passenger movement monitoring, data analytics and future integration with other airport technologies.
Both FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited stressed that data protection remains a priority in the implementation of the project. The authority said the system complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), with passenger information not stored on kiosks or handheld devices.
Ahead of full deployment, FAAN and Verxid will launch a nationwide awareness campaign through television, radio, social media, airport announcements and airline communication channels to educate passengers on how to use the V-Pass system.
A live Proof of Concept demonstration and technical site assessment will also be carried out before the full implementation begins.
Ms Adebola described V-Pass as a key component of FAAN’s wider digital transformation strategy, adding that the integration of biometric technology with modern access control systems will help create a smarter, safer and more efficient airport experience for domestic travellers.
