The federal government has announced plans to introduce facial recognition technology to major airports across the country.
He explained that the technology, which will be deployed through a grant agreement between the Nigerian and Japanese governments, will easily detect fraudsters and improve airport security.
He also enlisted the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders to ensure that facial recognition has proven to be highly effective in securing airports around the world.
According to a statement signed by Treasury Information Officer Olude Omolade, the finance minister said the project would secure deployments at Lagos and Abuja international airports in a pilot phase before expanding to ports He Harcourt, Enugu and Kano airports. I promised.
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 explained that the security solution works through image capture technology, Neo Face Watch login, live view, widgets and dashboards, face search and image manager, and basic configuration.
“Overall, we would like to support the Nigerian government in improving security and social cohesion and promoting better immigration management through the use of technology and the installation of surveillance cameras in strategic locations,” said the Japanese ambassador. added.
Stakeholders attending the conference include officials from the Nigerian Federal Airports Authority, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Police.