The federal government has signed a concession agreement with VERXID Technologies Limited for the deployment of a contactless biometric passenger verification system, known as VPASS, across Nigeria’s domestic airports.
According to a statement from Chindaya Adamu, director of
press and public affairs at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the agreement was signed on Thursday by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The statement said the move is aimed at strengthening
aviation security, improving data integrity, and boosting revenue generation.
Keyamo said the initiative will eliminate discrepancies in
passenger data caused by inconsistent airline records and address cases of
unauthorised boarding.
According to the minister, the system will ensure that all
passengers on domestic flights are properly identified, closing existing gaps
that allow individuals to bypass standard identification procedures.
He noted that while strict identity verification measures
are already in place for international travel, the VPASS system will extend
similar standards to domestic operations.
“The system will subsequently be expanded to cover private
aviation, to further strengthening security oversight across the sector,”
Keyamo added.
The minister described the project as a comprehensive reform
that will promote transparency, accountability, and safety in the aviation
industry.
He said implementation will begin with infrastructure
deployment by the concessionaire, followed by a nationwide sensitisation
campaign to drive public awareness and compliance.
Keyamo commended key stakeholders, including the
Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Airports
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for their roles in advancing the initiative.
In his remarks, Mahmud Kambari, permanent secretary of the
ministry, said the government remains committed to modernising the aviation
sector through technology-driven solutions aimed at improving efficiency,
security, and passenger experience.
‘VPASS SYSTEM WILL REDUCE RELIANCE ON PHYSICAL
IDENTIFICATION’
Adebola Agunbiade, director of commercial and business
development at FAAN, said the VPASS system would reduce reliance on physical
identification at airports.
She added that the deployment of facial recognition
technology will enable seamless passenger processing in line with global best
practices.
Johnson Ewalefoh, director-general of the ICRC, said
public-private partnerships remain critical to strengthening infrastructure,
improving airport standards, and enhancing national security.
Adebayo Bankole, managing director of VERXID Technologies
Limited, assured that the company will deploy a secure and integrated identity
management system across airports nationwide.
Bankole said the solution will enhance passenger
verification, curb unauthorised movement within airport facilities, and support
revenue assurance through accurate data analytics.
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