The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the rollout of a biometric passenger identity verification system, known as VPASS, across domestic airports to strengthen security and improve passenger identification processes.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the initiative forms part of broader reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in the aviation sector.
According to the minister, VPASS will introduce a contactless biometric verification system designed to ensure accurate identification of passengers and eliminate loopholes in existing processes.
He explained that while stringent identity verification measures are already in place for international travel, the new system will extend similar standards to domestic flights. The platform is also expected to be expanded to cover private aviation in the future.
Implementation will begin with infrastructure deployment by VERXID Technologies Limited, followed by a nationwide sensitisation campaign to promote awareness and ensure seamless adoption.
Keyamo said the system would enhance aviation security, improve data integrity and boost revenue generation through more accurate passenger tracking.
The minister commended stakeholders, including the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for their roles in advancing the project under a public-private partnership framework.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Adamu Kambari, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to modernising the aviation sector through technology-driven solutions.
Also speaking, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Agunbiade, described VPASS as a strategic step toward eliminating reliance on physical identification, noting that facial recognition technology will enable seamless passenger processing in line with global best practices.
Director General of the ICRC, Johnson Oseodion Ewalefoh, emphasised the importance of accountability and efficiency in delivering infrastructure projects through partnerships.
Managing Director of VERXID Technologies, Adebayo Bankole, said the system would help curb unauthorised movement and improve revenue assurance through accurate data analytics.
Stakeholders noted that collaboration and adherence to implementation timelines would be critical to the success of the project.
The rollout of VPASS is expected to address long-standing inefficiencies in passenger verification, reduce cases of identity fraud and unauthorised boarding, and align Nigeria’s aviation system with global standards in security and passenger processing.
