The Federal Government has concluded plans to install biometric clearance gates for the Nigeria Immigration Service at the international airports in the country.
The gates are expected to be ready at these airports by
March 2024.
The international airports in Nigeria where the facilities
will be installed are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos,
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International
Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International
Airport in Enugu.
When put to use, the gates would provide seamless clearance
services for passengers entering the country through any of the international
airports.
Speaking during the inspection visit to the Abuja
international airport on Monday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,
said Lagos would get 17 gates, Abuja, 10; Port Harcourt and Kano would get five
each, and Enugu would get four.
He added that the facilities would be a game changer for
effective and efficient management of international passengers in the country.
Tunji-Ojo said, “I am impressed by the levels and pace of
work I have seen here today. The facilities are about 70 per cent ready. This
means our border control management system is on track. It also means that the
Nigeria Immigration Service is ready to contribute its quota to the National
Security Architecture.
“The efficiency of the services provided by the NIS
determines whatever we see in our security outlook as a nation. All these are
being done in line with global best practices and standards and in consonance
with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to provide quality
services to Nigerians.
“We have decided that the more the gates at the airports,
the easier it would be for passengers to be cleared. And looking at the ones
that have been tested, it takes about 30 seconds for a passenger to clear, so I
look at the solutions and the hardware, and I think they are top-notch.
“Once you check in you don’t need to have an encounter with
Immigration officers anymore except you are a person of interest. This facility
is not just for you to pass at record time, no. It is also to secure the nation
and add another layer to our National Security Architecture.
“If a person is a person of interest, he can easily be
flagged. And this gives our Immigration support to be able to effectively do
their jobs.”
The development is expected to end incessant delays
experienced by passengers at the nation’s airports.