FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a major upgrade in passenger facilitation for international flights by phasing out physical luggage screening at both the old and new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
This moves follows the installation of state of-the- art Raspican Screening Machines and Surveillance Systems at key checkpoints within the terminals.
The new technology is designed to streamline security processes and reduce the time spent during pre- flight check-ins.
FAAN has already installed four high – capacity screening machines at the MMIA capable of detecting illicit drugs, concealed currency and other prohibited items. Physical searches will now only occur when suspicious items are flagged by the Rapiscan systems.
To support this enhanced security architecture, surveillance monitors are being mounted for use by border control agencies such as; the Nigeria immigration service, NDLEA and National Agricultural Quarantine service. These will all be linked to a central control system, to monitor operations and ensure accountability with personnel identities displayed for transparency.
FAAN confirmed that the long-standing search table at the terminal entrance will be dismantled significantly easing the passenger flow process.
The Orion 9280x, the newly deployed scanning technology is regarded as one of the most advanced systems in global aviation and forms part of a broader efforts of FAAN to modernize Nigeria’s airport security with e- gates and enhanced inter- agency collaboration.
Investigations reveals that the sophisticated equipment has a combination of artificial intelligence and real-time threat detection capabilities and is already redefining the way baggage is screened at the country’s busiest airport.
According to FAAN’S Head of ICT at the Lagos International Airport Juliet Chima- Ogechukwu, it’s personnel have been trained on the use of the new facilities, which will go a long way to boost safety and security at the terminal.
She emphatically explained that, plans are underway to set-up a private screening cubicle beside the scanning area for more discreet check, with additional monitors installed, to allow other security agencies real- time access to flagged visuals.
In his statement, FAAN’S Director of Aviation and Security Services, Albert Igbafe Afegbai said collaboration is being strengthened among security agencies, to achieve the new operational architecture.
Going further, he explained that, the on-going test-run of the newly introduced e-gate at the Lagos international Airport will reshape passenger’s experience.
To further enhance security operations FAAN, he said has also installed a new set of high-performance baggage screening machines designed, to detect narcotics, undeclared currencies and other contraband.
Afegbai disclosed that prior to these installation, existing equipment fell short in detecting certain prohibited items, with the acquisition of modern machines, FAAN is also facilitating capacity building across various agencies including the NDLEA, DSS, Immigration, Quarantine and Customs.
Signed
Ogueri-Ojuwundui Juliet
CI PRO
09/04/2025
