The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday, conducted a trial of the newly installed electronic gates (e-gates) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, confirming that the project was nearing completion. 

Tunji-Ojo also revealed plans to fully operate the e-gates by the following week.

 Accompanying him were key officials including the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Ndayako, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap.

The minister highlighted that the e-gates were designed to streamline passenger movement by removing human interactions and bureaucratic obstacles.

Deployment plans include 29 e-gates for Lagos, four for Enugu and Kano each, and five for Port Harcourt. Tunji-Ojo highlighted rigorous testing of airport infrastructure and command centres, ensuring fake and expired passports are rejected while genuine ones are processed seamlessly.

He underscored the e-gates’ role in bolstering airport security and preventing unwanted individuals from entering Nigeria.

“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.”

Tunji-Ojo praised the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Customs Service for facilitating this transformative initiative, aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance passenger experiences and national security.

“You can see that we have all our team here working in synergy with the authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, 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,” he said.