The implementation of the E-Gates facility has commenced at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, according to an announcement by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a post on his official X account, the minister revealed details of his inspection tour of the ongoing installation work at the international airport on Monday.
In his post, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the significance of the E-Gates project, stating, “Today, I took a tour of ongoing projects, first the E-Gates facility currently being installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”
He further outlined that the E-Gates initiative would be extended to all five international airports in the country, aiming to minimize human interaction at these key airport locations.
Additionally, during his visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the minister evaluated the progress of the E-Border data and control center at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, with a focus on enhancing national security measures.
The initiation of the E-Gates project aligns with Tunji-Ojo’s previous statement in a November 2023 interview, where he mentioned the plan to implement e-gates across all international airports in Nigeria by February 2024. The minister emphasized that Nigerian citizens returning to the country would experience reduced interaction with immigration officers, except for individuals flagged as persons of interest.
In December 2023 Caroline Adepoju, the acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, unveiled plans to enhance border security and migration management.
The introduction of electronic gates at airports and various entry points was highlighted as a key strategy to facilitate the entry and exit of passengers, contributing to more efficient immigration processes nationwide.