The federal government has stated that it intends to install facial recognition technology at major airports throughout the country.
Clem Agba, the Honourable Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, announced this on Wednesday while hosting the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, and a team from NEC Corporation, an information technology company, in Abuja.
He stated that the technology, which will be deployed through grant agreements between the Nigerian and Japanese governments, will detect impostors easily and improve airport security.
He also pleaded for the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, stating that facial recognition had proven to be extremely effective in securing airports around the world.
According to a statement signed by the Finance Ministry Information Officer, Olude Omolade, the minister promised to ensure its deployment at the Lagos and Abuja international airports in the pilot phase before the project would be extended to Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano airports.
Agba said, “I am happy that the series of meetings, which began in January this year in Tokyo on this project aimed at recognising the faces of persons who pass through our international airports have started to yield results.
“This, we believe, would further strengthen the security of our people and the country as a whole. This project was conceived in view of several security concerns and the need to nip these growing concerns in the bud.”
The minister further disclosed that as part of the prerequisites for the installation procedure, he would be leading the ambassador and the team on a site survey visit to Lagos and Abuja airports for necessary assessments.
Speaking during his welcome address, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, explained that the use of advanced technology would ensure that security threats were reduced in and around Nigeria airports.
The initiative, he said, would further strengthen the country’s security architecture and encourage more investment opportunities in different sectors of Nigeria’s economy, citing the instance of a similar project implemented in Nairobi, Kenya, and how the project changed Kenya’s security narratives.
He stated that the security solution works through image capturing techniques, Neo Face Watch Logging in, live view, widgets and dashboard, face search and image manager and basic configuration.
“In all, we want to holistically support the Nigerian Government to improve security, social cohesion and promote better migration management through the use of technology and installation of CCTV cameras at strategic places,” the Japanese Ambassador added.
Stakeholders present during the meeting include officials of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Police Force.
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