FAAN Deploys AI-Powered Screening Machines at Lagos Airport, Phases Out Physical Checks

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded plans to install cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered security machines at the screening point of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. This move marks a significant shift from manual baggage checks to a more technologically driven system aimed at improving security, speed, and transparency.

Director of Aviation Security Services, Afegbai Igbafe, announced that the new machines will come with six individual monitors one for each agency operating at the airport. This will allow officials to observe scanned baggage in real-time from their dedicated stations, eliminating the need for physical search tables.

"The tables you see will be a thing of history," Igbafe stated. "Once the machines detect suspicious items, the concerned passenger and baggage will be taken to designated areas equipped with CCTV for further checks—ensuring accountability and reducing exploitation."

Among the agencies benefiting from the integration are the NDLEA, Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and DSS. Igbafe noted that these bodies will undergo training to fully utilize the AI features, particularly in detecting banned substances and contraband.

Chima Oge, Head of ICT at MMIA, revealed that one of the new machines, the Orion 927DX, is equipped to swiftly identify organic materials, enhancing accuracy in real-time through interactive and range-based scanning modes.

With this development, FAAN moves closer to global aviation standards, promising a safer, faster, and more transparent travel experience at Nigeria’s busiest international airport.