Automation, Efficiency, and Transparency at the Forefront
According to the Director of Aviation Security Services (DASS), Afegbai Igbafe, the move is part of a comprehensive overhaul of current screening procedures at the MMIA. Once the installation is complete, traditional customs tables at the screening points will be removed, signaling a transition to a fully digitized and contactless screening environment.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection over the weekend, Igbafe elaborated on the plan: “The tables you see will be a thing of history. There will be no physical contact, because once the AI-driven machines detect any prohibited item, the relevant agency will be alerted, and the passenger will be directed to a designated area for further checks.”
These designated areas, he added, will be monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure transparency and prevent potential exploitation or harassment of travelers. Each of the six regulatory agencies present at the airport—including Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Quarantine, Immigration, and others—will have individual monitors to track flagged baggage in real-time.
Upgraded Capabilities and Inter-Agency Collaboration
The new security machines represent a technological leap in the detection of contraband, especially narcotics. Previously, FAAN’s screening equipment lacked the sensitivity to identify certain drug types. With the introduction of new models like the Orion 927DX, this shortfall is expected to be addressed.
“The Orion 927DX machine is built with features that support fast and accurate identification of organic materials,” said Chima Oge, Head of ICT at MMIA. “It functions both in range mode—highlighting areas based on pre-selected parameters—and in interactive mode, which allows for pixel-value analysis.”
In addition, Igbafe revealed that FAAN plans to initiate training programs for airport security personnel from agencies like the NDLEA, Department of State Services (DSS), Immigration, and Quarantine to ensure efficient use of the new systems.
Skepticism from Security Experts
Despite the positive outlook, not everyone is convinced. Aviation security analyst and retired Group Captain John Ojikutu expressed doubts over the efficacy of the new system in replacing foreign airlines' existing secondary baggage screening procedures.
“The machines may be TSA-approved, but technology alone isn’t the answer. What matters is how it's operated and maintained,” Ojikutu remarked. He referenced past security lapses, including the case of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, to underscore his concern. “We once received a TSA-donated body scanner after that incident, but within a year, it vanished from use. Are we prepared to maintain this new investment over time?”
A New Chapter or a Temporary Upgrade?
While the installation of AI-powered screening machines is a promising advancement for MMIA, the long-term success of this initiative will hinge on operator training, maintenance, and inter-agency coordination. Whether this marks a new chapter in Nigerian aviation security or another temporary upgrade remains to be seen.