FAAN moves to replace physical ID check with V-pass biometric verification

By Nnasom David

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, to speed up passenger processing and enhance security at domestic airports nationwide.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, disclosed this in a statement, saying the technology was developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited.

According to Agbebire, the system will enable passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition, reducing reliance on physical identity cards and improving movement through airport checkpoints.

He explained that Nigerian passengers would complete a one-time enrolment using their National Identification Number (NIN) and facial biometrics, while foreign travellers would register with their international passports and biometric authentication.

Agbebire said passengers would undergo identity verification before accessing restricted areas and again at the boarding gate, adding that the process is designed to prevent impersonation, identity fraud and unauthorised access while strengthening aviation security.

He noted that once enrolled, the biometric verification process would take less than 30 seconds, with self-service kiosks, electronic gates and trained FAAN personnel available to assist passengers during the transition.

According to him, the system is expected to reduce queues, improve passenger flow and provide airlines with secure access to operational data, while FAAN’s Central Management System will monitor passenger movement and support future integration with other airport technologies.

Agbebire also assured travellers that V-Pass complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, stating that passengers’ personal information would be securely protected and would not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices.

He added that FAAN would undertake a nationwide public awareness campaign through television, radio, social media, airport announcements and airline advisories before the system is rolled out.

The spokesperson said the agency would also conduct a live demonstration and technical assessment of the platform, describing V-Pass as part of FAAN’s efforts to build a smarter, safer and more efficient airport system.

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