Nigerian public affairs commentator, Dr Joe Abah has lauded the federal government’s e-gate initiative, describing it as similar to the ones at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Abah described his experience with the cutting-edge facility upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in a tweet. He noted that upon arrival, he was directed to a section for Nigerian passport holders. It was at this screening point that he encountered the e-gates.
“I simply scanned my passport and it opened one gate for me. Then I took off my cap and glasses and it scanned my face and opened the second gate. That’s it! I was in!! No long queues. No excessive greeting from any immigration officer asking me what I brought back for them,” he said.
According to him, the screening process which used to take ages now took less than a minute before he was cleared to enter. He then applauded the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Comptroller-General of Immigrations for the development.
How e-gate works
The Federal Government of Nigeria commenced the setting up of E-Gate facilities in Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in February 2024. The government said the facility will subsequently be installed across all five (5) International Airports in the country.
According to the minister for interior, Tunji-Ojo, the E-gates, which will strictly be for Nigerian passport holders, will reduce human contact and give Nigerians seamless entrance into the country while the E-border system will enhance national security
“Once you’re Nigerian and you’re coming to Nigeria, you will have no business seeing an immigration officer, except if you’re a person of interest,” Tunji-Ojo had stated.
Basically, e-gates work through biometric verification which is performed on passengers using facial or iris recognition, fingerprints, or a combination of modalities.
A physical barrier, such as a gate or turnstile, opens to allow passage after the identification process is completed and the passport holder’s identity is verified. The gate or turnstile will not open if the passport holder’s identification is not verified or if the system malfunctions and an immigration officer will meet the person.
Automated border control systems usually collect information on the biometric page of the passport, such as name, sex, date of birth, passport number, passport photograph, nationality, and passport country of origin. Other information, such as travel details, visa information, and the facial biometric template, may be collected as well.
When travellers’ passport booklets are processed by e-gates, they are usually no longer stamped.
With the facility now in use at Abuja airport, Nigerians took to social media to laud the initiative.
One user, Chidi, describes it as commendable, stating: This should get to Lagos, Enugu, Kano and PH to eradicate all those begi begi embarrassing officers.
Another user, Temitope towed the same line, pointing out how the e-gates can rid touting immigration officers of their jobs.
“Some people are out of business, gradually. No one should rush for immigration jobs, no touting at the Passport office, e-gates at the airport…About time to get serious,” she said.
Another user, Adenike Awe pointed out the importance of 24/7 electricity to power the system else it would end up futile. She said:
“Abeg, make light dey to power the e-gates 24/7/365/366 days O. We don’t want to hear stories that touch O!”
Another user, Akpan Vincent made an important remark about how those controlling the system sometimes put it off all in a bid to still return to their old ways.
“That’s worth celebrating but will those in charge make it work? I remember how many times the scanning machines have been deactivated because someone felt they were not taking anything home the authorities should better look out for saboteurs like that,” he said.
It remains to be seen how long the e-gates at the Abuja airport hold up. It also remains to be seen when the FG decides to introduce the e-gates to other international airports that sorely need it like the Lagos airport.
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