Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conducted a test run of the electronic gates (e-gates) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, declaring that the project is 99 percent complete. He announced that the e-gates would be operational by the following week, marking a significant step towards enhancing airport security and passenger convenience.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo was joined by Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, along with other government officials. The e-gates aim to reduce human interfaces, streamline procedures, and facilitate seamless movement of passengers in and out of the country.
The Minister revealed that 29 e-gates would be deployed in Lagos, with four in Enugu, four in Kano, and five in Port Harcourt. He emphasized that the e-gates underwent rigorous testing, rejecting fake and expired passports while clearing genuine ones. This infrastructure overhaul aims to bolster security measures and prevent unauthorized individuals from entering Nigeria through airports.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo commended the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Minister of Aviation, Hon. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for their role in realizing this transformation. He highlighted that this initiative aligns with President Buhari's Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes improving the efficiency and security of air travel in Nigeria.
