FAAN Unveils Biometric V-Pass to Speed Up Domestic Air Travel

Domestic air travel in Nigeria is set for a major upgrade as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) prepares to launch V-Pass, a biometric identity system designed to make flying faster, safer, and more seamless.

Announced on Thursday, July 16, 2026, the initiative will allow passengers to verify their identity using facial recognition instead of relying on physical documents at airports. FAAN said it has partnered with Verxid Technologies Limited to deploy the system, following a strategic meeting where both teams reviewed rollout plans, security protocols, and ways to improve passenger experience.

Under the new scheme, travellers will receive a secure digital identity after a one-time enrolment. Nigerian passengers will register with their National Identification Number (NIN) and a facial scan, while foreign travellers will enrol using their international passports through Optical Character Recognition and biometric authentication. Once registered, passengers will be verified twice: before entering restricted airport areas and again before boarding. FAAN explained that this dual-check process is intended to prevent impersonation, unauthorised access, and identity fraud while improving overall accuracy.

The authority noted that biometric checks will take less than 30 seconds after enrolment, with first-time registration expected to be completed in about one minute. Passengers can use self-service kiosks or get assistance from FAAN personnel, and electronic gates will automate access to restricted zones to reduce queues and ease movement within terminals.

Beyond passenger screening, the V-Pass platform will give airlines secure access to flight schedules, passenger manifests, and boarding statistics through a digital interface. A Central Management System will also monitor passenger movement, generate operational analytics, and support future integration with other airport technologies.

FAAN and Verxid emphasized that data privacy is central to the project. The system complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), and passenger information will not be stored on kiosks or handheld devices.

Ahead of full deployment, FAAN and Verxid will conduct a live proof-of-concept demonstration and technical site assessment. A nationwide public awareness campaign will also run across television, radio, social media, airport announcements, and airline advisories to educate travellers on how the new system works.

Ms Adebola Agunbiade, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, said V-Pass forms part of the authority’s broader digital transformation programme aimed at building a smarter, safer, and more efficient airport system for domestic travellers.

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