FG to Install Facial Recognition Cameras at Airports

The Federal Government has announced plans to install facial recognition technology at major airports across Nigeria.

This was disclosed by Mr Clem Agba, the Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Agba who played host to the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, and a team from NEC Corporation, an information technology company, said that the technology would be used to ensure utmost security at Nigeria’s airports and also easily detect impostors.

The minister also noted that the device will be acquired through the cooperation of the Nigerian and Japanese governments via grant agreements, adding that the technology has proven to be very effective in securing airports across the world.

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Mr Agba revealed in a signed statement that the technology would be first deployed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

After the pilot phase in the Lagos and Abuja airports, the Federal Government will now extend the project to Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kano airports.

As part of the process for the installation of the gadgets, the minister, along with the Japanese ambassador would be undertaking a tour of the airports to assess facilities ahead of installation.

Agba noted that the project which was conceived out of a need to contain security concerns in the nation’s airports was started with a series of meetings in Tokyo in January 2023. He said the strengthened security and encourage investment opportunities in Nigeria.