Keyamo to Launch Biometric Passenger Verification System at Lagos Airport

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will on Monday, November 16, 2026, officially launch the Airport Passenger Verification System, known as vPASS, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Domestic Terminal, Lagos.

The introduction of the biometric verification platform is part of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) efforts to modernise airport operations, strengthen security and improve passenger facilitation through the deployment of technology-driven solutions.

The system, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, is designed to simplify passenger identification and airport access procedures through biometric authentication, particularly facial recognition technology.

Under the arrangement, passengers will be required to undertake a one-time registration process on the vPASS platform using their National Identification Number (NIN) and facial verification. Their personal details will subsequently be authenticated against the relevant secure national identity database.

Following successful registration and verification, passengers will be able to access designated airport entry points through electronic gates, also known as e-gates, using facial recognition technology.

The technology is expected to reduce passengers’ dependence on physical identification documents during airport access procedures while providing an additional layer of security through biometric identity authentication.

FAAN said the introduction of vPASS represented another important step in its drive to improve airport processes, enhance operational efficiency and provide travellers with a faster and more convenient experience.

The first phase of the implementation will cover the domestic terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The two airports are among Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateways, handling significant volumes of domestic passenger traffic. Their selection for the initial deployment is expected to provide an opportunity to introduce the technology to a wider section of the travelling public.

Passengers have been encouraged to register on the vPASS platform ahead of their scheduled journeys to enable them to benefit from the new verification process.

The system is expected to make airport entry more seamless by reducing the time spent on conventional identity checks and limiting the need for repeated presentation of physical identification documents at designated access points.

The launch comes amid growing efforts by airport authorities globally to deploy biometric technologies, automated passenger processing systems and digital identity solutions to improve security and reduce congestion at airport facilities.

For Nigeria, the successful implementation of vPASS could represent a significant step towards the wider adoption of automated passenger verification systems, although its effectiveness will depend on the reliability of the technology, the efficiency of the registration process and passengers’ acceptance of biometric identification.

With the commencement of the first phase in Lagos and Abuja, FAAN is seeking to introduce a technology-based approach to passenger verification that combines national identity authentication with facial recognition to improve airport security and the overall travelling experience.

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