D omestic 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 verif...

T wo people have lost their lives to rabies in the Federal Capital Territory after being bitten by infected dogs, authorities confirmed yesterday. The deaths happened in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils and are part of eight confirmed rabies cases reported in the FCT. According to Thisday Newspaper, Dr. Karnak Dandam, who heads Veterinary Services at the FCTA’s Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, announced the deaths during a press briefing in Abuja. He said all eight victims had samples tested at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, and the results came back positive. The first set of samples was sent to the lab in March and confirmed that same month. Another batch was submitted in early June, with results released on June 15. The FCTA is now taking quick steps to stop the disease from spreading further. Officials are calling on residents to get their dogs and cats vaccinated and to report any dog bites right away.  Dandam explained that r...