FAAN to replace physical IDs with facial recognition at domestic airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has unveiled a biometric facial recognition system, known as V-Pass, which it says will allow passengers travelling through domestic airports to verify their identities without presenting physical identification documents.

The authority announced the initiative in a post on its official X handle on Thursday, describing V-Pass as part of its ongoing digital transformation aimed at improving passenger processing, security and the overall airport experience.

According to FAAN, passengers will complete a one-time enrolment after which their identities can be verified through facial recognition at automated electronic gates installed at domestic airports.

Speaking in a video shared by the authority, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Adebola Joy Agunbiade, said the system would eliminate the need for passengers enrolled on the platform to present physical identity cards during check-in and boarding.

There’s no more going to be having to use your physical ID to go to the check-in or when it’s time to go through the boarding gate.

“Once I check in for my flight, I get to the e-gate, I’m recognised using my biometrics, which is my face.

“If I forget my ID at home, as long as I have been registered and onboarded on the V-Pass platform, I really don’t need that. My identification is my face,” she said.

Agunbiade said the initiative would strengthen airport security by providing what she described as a more secure means of identifying passengers while also reducing queues and improving passenger movement through airports.

She added that the system would also help FAAN and airlines maintain a more comprehensive database of passengers using domestic airports.

In its announcement, FAAN said the V-Pass platform was designed with data privacy in mind and complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.

The authority, however, did not disclose when the facial recognition system would be deployed across domestic airports or when passenger enrolment would commence.