Federal government has signed a concession agreement for the deployment of a contactless biometric passenger verification system across Nigeria’s domestic airports.

The initiative, known as VPASS, is designed to strengthen aviation security, improve data integrity and boost revenue generation.

Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said the agreement followed the concurrence of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation and approval by the Federal Executive Council.

Keyamo said the system will eliminate discrepancies in passenger records, curb unauthorized boarding and ensure all domestic air travellers are properly identified, closing existing gaps in standard identification procedures.

Association of Licensed Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN) has waxed worriedly over the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) repeated violations of due process in managing the country’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.

In a statement released in Abuja, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, chairman,  STBMAN, stated that the NBC’s actions are slowing down Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and discouraging local investors who have committed resources to the project.

Ohuabunwa noted that Nigeria began serious discussions on DSO in 2008, yet 17 years later, the country has made little progress, while nations that once sought Nigeria’s assistance have completed their own transitions.

“STBMAN has repeatedly called for the protection of local manufacturers, strict compliance with the federal government’s White Paper on DSO, and full respect for the rule of law, but these calls have been ignored,” Ohuabunwa said.

The NBC’s alleged plan to import hybrid set-top boxes from China has been criticized by STBMAN, which says this move disregards the heavy investments already made by licensed Nigerian manufacturers and contradicts the President’s directive to prioritize locally made products.

“The manufacturers have invested in equipment, technology upgrades, and workforce training, expecting government support and policy stability,”he added.

Liquid C2, a Cassava Technologies business, has unveiled Africa’s inaugural Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg, equipping partners with hands-on tools to design and deploy cloud and AI solutions for African markets.

The facility shifts partners beyond distribution via structured onboarding for Google Cloud certification, collaborative engineering, and market access through Liquid’s network, spurring jobs and tech ecosystem growth. It grants access to Gemini Enterprise, a Gemini Playspace for AI trials, and sector platforms for finance, healthcare, and retail to cut risks, boost efficiency, and drive engagement.

Partners gain accelerated enablement with PoC hubs, local billing, and training; AI innovation via certified solutions pods; and economic impact through workforce upskilling.

“At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise,” said Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President, Cassava Technologies and CEO, South Africa & Botswana. “By combining our infrastructure, expertise, and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies, we are helping to democratise access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.”

“This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future,” added Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA. “By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs, and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent.”

The centre supports enterprises, startups, academics, developers, and public entities in co-creating relevant solutions, advancing Cassava’s push for inclusive digital access via connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, and solutions.