The federal government has approved the deployment of a contactless biometric Passenger Verification System( VPASS) across Nigeria’s domestic airports as part of efforts to strengthen aviation security, enhance data integrity, and improve revenue generation.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo disclosed this during the signing of the concession agreement Thursday in Abuja.
Keyamo explained that the initiative was designed to eliminate discrepancies in passenger data arising from inconsistent airline records, while also addressing unauthorized boarding practices.
He stated that the system would ensure that all passengers on domestic flights are properly identified, thereby closing existing gaps that allow individuals to bypass Standard Identification Procedures.
He further said that while strict identity verification measures are already in place for international travel.
According to him, The VPASS system extends similar standards to domestic operations and the system will subsequently be expanded to cover private aviation, to further strengthening security oversight across the sector.
Keyamo described the project as a comprehensive reform, emphasising that it will promote transparency, accountability, and safety in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He added that implementation would begin with infrastructure deployment by the concessionaire, followed by a nationwide sensitization campaign to ensure public awareness and compliance.
The minister, however, commended key stakeholders, particularly the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for their roles in advancing the initiative.
Earlier, the Director of Commercial and Business Development at FAAN, Mrs. Adebola Agunbiade, described the VPASS system as a strategic step towards eliminating reliance on physical identification at airports.
Agunbiade noted that the deployment of secure facial recognition technology will enable seamless passenger processing in line with global best practices.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr. Johnson Oseodion Ewalefoh, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing Public-Private Partnership efforts, noting that they are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s infrastructure, improving airport standards, and enhancing national security.
He commended the collaboration among stakeholders and emphasized the need for sustained commitment to accountability, efficiency, and timely project delivery to ensure the success of concession agreements.