FAAN to replace physical ID checks with V-Pass biometric verification

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to replace physical identity checks for domestic air travellers with a biometric identity verification platform known as V-Pass, in a move aimed at strengthening aviation security and improving passenger processing at airports.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, explaining that the technology, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, will enable passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition, significantly reducing reliance on physical identity cards while accelerating movement through airport checkpoints.

According to him, Nigerian passengers will complete a one-time enrolment using their National Identification Number (NIN) and facial biometrics, while foreign travellers will register with their international passports and biometric authentication.

Agbebire explained that passengers will undergo biometric verification before entering restricted airport areas and again at the boarding gate. He said the dual-verification process is designed to eliminate impersonation, prevent identity fraud, curb unauthorised access and further enhance aviation security.

He noted that once enrolled, passenger verification will take less than 30 seconds. To ensure a seamless transition, FAAN will deploy self-service kiosks, automated e-gates and trained personnel to assist travellers, reduce queues and improve passenger flow across domestic terminals.

Beyond passenger facilitation, the new platform will 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 as part of the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.

The FAAN spokesman also assured travellers that the V-Pass platform fully complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), stressing that passengers’ personal information will be securely protected and will not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices.

Ahead of the nationwide rollout, FAAN said it will embark on an extensive public sensitisation campaign through television, radio, social media, airport public address systems and airline advisories.

The Authority will also conduct live demonstrations and technical assessments to familiarise stakeholders with the new system.

FAAN described the introduction of V-Pass as a major milestone in its efforts to build a smarter, safer and more efficient airport ecosystem, while enhancing passenger experience through the adoption of modern biometric technology.