The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s electronic gates (e-gates) were tested on Friday by Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who claimed that 99 percent of the work was completed.
He stated that by the next week, the e-gates would be operational.
Among the other high-ranking government officials that joined Tunji-Ojo were Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of Immigration.
He said the e-gates were being deployed to eliminate human interfaces, reduce bureaucracy and make movements of passengers in and out the country seamless.
The Minister said 29 of the e-gates would be deployed in Lagos, four in Enugu and Kano while Port-Harcourt would have five.
He disclosed that the Airport infrastructure and Command and Control Centres have been subjected to different tests with fake and expired passports rejected while genuine ones were cleared.
Tunji-Ojo said:” With this massive infrastructure, we believe that no unwanted persons or persons of interests can find their ways into Nigeria. Our security through the Airports and in the Airport domains are guaranteed.
“It is a testimony to what Mr President told us from day one on his Renewed Hope Agenda. He asked us to change the narratives and make passengers movements in and out of the country seamless.
“You can see that we have all our team here working in synergy with the authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders.
“I must at this point commend the Minister of Aviation, Hon Festus Keyamo (SAN) and other critical stakeholders who have made this transformation possible.”