The Federal Government has approved the nationwide deployment of a contactless biometric passenger verification system, VPASS, across domestic airports in a major push to strengthen aviation security, improve data accuracy, and boost revenue generation.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development during the signing of the project’s concession agreement, describing it as a transformative step for the aviation sector.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Chindaya Adamu, the VPASS initiative will address long-standing discrepancies in passenger records caused by inconsistent airline data, while also curbing cases of unauthorised boarding.
Keyamo explained that the system is designed to ensure that every passenger on domestic flights is accurately identified, effectively closing loopholes that previously allowed individuals to bypass standard identification procedures.
He noted that while strict identity checks are already standard for international travel, VPASS will extend similar security protocols to domestic flights. The system is also expected to expand to private aviation in the future, further tightening oversight across the industry.
Describing the initiative as a comprehensive reform, the Minister said it would promote transparency, accountability, and safety within Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. He added that implementation will begin with infrastructure deployment by the concessionaire, followed by a nationwide sensitisation campaign to drive public awareness and compliance.
Keyamo also commended the roles played by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in advancing the project.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Kambari, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising the aviation sector through innovative, technology-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening security, and improving passenger experience.
Also speaking, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, described VPASS as a strategic move away from reliance on physical identification at airports. She highlighted that the adoption of secure facial recognition technology would enable seamless passenger processing in line with global best practices.
Agunbiade added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader goal of upgrading aviation infrastructure, noting that FAAN will continue working with stakeholders and regulatory bodies to ensure effective implementation, sustainability, and scalability.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the ICRC, Johnson Ewalefoh, praised ongoing Public-Private Partnership efforts, stressing their importance in strengthening infrastructure, improving airport standards, and enhancing national security.
He called for sustained commitment to accountability, efficiency, and timely delivery to ensure the success of concession agreements.
On the implementation side, the Managing Director of VERXID Technologies Ltd, Adebayo Bankole, assured that the company will deploy a secure, integrated identity management system across Nigeria’s airports.
Bankole said the solution would not only enhance passenger verification but also curb unauthorised movement within airport facilities and support revenue assurance through accurate data analytics.
