FAAN has ended physical baggage screening at Lagos airport, replacing it with advanced AI-driven scanners like Orion 928DX. The upgrade aims to enhance security, reduce passenger delays, and improve inter-agency monitoring. E-gates and surveillance systems now streamline travel while minimizing physical contact and unauthorized access.
In a major leap toward modernizing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially discontinued manual luggage screening at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. This shift follows the deployment of cutting-edge Rapiscan and Orion 928DX screening machines, which leverage artificial intelligence for real-time threat detection.
The transition marks a significant improvement in airport efficiency and security. Passengers will now experience faster check-ins with minimal physical contact, as manual searches are now only triggered when flagged by the new scanners. These devices are capable of detecting explosives, narcotics, undeclared currency, and agricultural contraband with precision.
According to FAAN’s Head of ICT, Juliet Chima–Ogechukwu, the scanners operate in dual modes—range and interactive—enabling pinpoint detection of threats within baggage. She added that multiple agencies, including customs and immigration, will have access to dedicated surveillance monitors linked to a centralized control room for transparency and oversight.
FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services, Albert Afegbai, emphasized the broader security strategy, including the test phase of newly installed electronic gates that restrict access to boarding pass holders. “We’re working to eliminate physical interference and boost passenger confidence,” he said.
The move is part of a national rollout, with similar upgrades underway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and other major terminals.
