INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
Questioning FAAN’s Security Upgrade Claims: Why Nigeria Must Embrace Eden & McWhit Global’s No-Cost Proposal to Achieve ICAO Compliance
By HeadlineNews.News Investigative Desk
Date: April 2025
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recently announced that it has successfully upgraded the security architecture of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, claiming full compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. However, an independent investigation reveals a glaring disparity between FAAN’s declaration and the on-ground reality.
According to security analysts, aviation professionals, and credible sources familiar with airport operations, the so-called upgrade remains incomplete, fragmented, and lacks the integrated digitalization required by ICAO to ensure the safety, efficiency, and reputation of international aviation hubs.
ICAO Requirements vs Reality at MMIA
ICAO mandates a fully integrated and digitalized security ecosystem across all critical airport infrastructure. These standards include:
Biometric access controls for restricted areas
AI-driven surveillance and monitoring systems
Passenger and cargo screening with automated threat detection
Centralized command and control centers
Digital audit trails and real-time incident response
As of Q2 2025, none of these systems have been holistically implemented at MMIA. Instead, sources indicate that upgrades are being handled piecemeal — deploying outdated analog systems alongside sporadic manual checks and limited CCTV installations without central coordination. This patchwork approach fails to create a robust security profile, placing Nigeria’s premier airport behind even regional counterparts like Kotoka International Airport in Ghana or Bole International Airport in Ethiopia.
The Eden & McWhit Global Proposal: A No-Cost Solution Ignored
One of the most damning aspects of this investigation is the government’s apparent refusal to engage Eden & McWhit Global — a reputable firm with international aviation security credentials — which has offered to implement a world-class, fully digital security upgrade at MMIA at zero cost to the Federal Government.
The proposal includes:
Deployment of cutting-edge AI and IoT-enabled surveillance
Full biometric access and passenger profiling
End-to-end cargo scanning and monitoring
Real-time data sharing with global security networks
Eden & McWhit’s offer comes with financing already secured and tested technologies that meet ICAO Tier-1 airport certification benchmarks. Yet, despite repeated engagements, government agencies have failed to adopt the offer — allegedly due to internal resistance fueled by entrenched corruption and kickback expectations.
Corruption: A Barrier to National Progress
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (2024), Nigeria ranks 145 out of 180 countries, with systemic corruption cited as a major barrier to infrastructure development. Multiple sources suggest that resistance to Eden & McWhit’s proposal is due to the absence of avenues for rent-seeking and patronage within the transparent, internationally monitored process the firm demands.
Rejecting such a comprehensive offer at no financial burden is not just economically irresponsible; it is a national security risk.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Failing to meet ICAO standards risks Nigeria’s MMIA being flagged in international travel advisories, reduced aviation insurance ratings, and potential downgrading by global airlines and regulators. This could severely affect:
International tourism
Investment inflows
Diaspora travel confidence
Nigeria’s diplomatic standing
In contrast, compliance would put Nigeria in the elite league of global aviation hubs — potentially attracting $2.5 billion in increased tourism and investment annually, according to a 2023 ICAO forecast on compliant airport economies.
Conclusion: Time for Presidential Intervention
With Nigeria seeking global relevance and security credibility, the Presidency must intervene to break this bureaucratic logjam. The Eden & McWhit Global proposal is not just a generous offer; it is a strategic opportunity for national transformation.
The cost of a modern fully digitalised security architecture for an international airport is high and sustaining it also high with maintenance and replacement of equipment every two years. This is why a proposal to ensure this is achieved by outsourcing and no cost to Government is the best option for developing countries like Nigeria.
The cost of a modern fully digitalised security architecture for an international airport is high and sustaining it also high with maintenance and replacement of equipment every two years. This is why a proposal to ensure this is achieved by outsourcing and no cost to Government is the best option for developing countries like Nigeria.
MMIA must move from fragmented analog systems to a secure, smart, digital airport aligned with global standards. HeadlineNews.News urges the Federal Government to:
Publicly audit FAAN’s current upgrades
Open transparent dialogue with Eden & McWhit Global
Commit to achieving ICAO Gold Tier Certification before the 2026 Global Aviation Safety Audit
Nigeria must not let corruption and complacency block its path to progress. A secure airport is a secure nation.
Headlinenews.news Special Report.
ICAO SECURITY STANDARDS VS. MMIA COMPLIANCE
1. ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 4.4 – Access Control
ICAO Requirement: Biometric and electronic control of access to restricted areas
MMIA Status: Manual ID checks and physical guards
Compliance Gap: Not compliant
2. ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 4.5 – Surveillance
ICAO Requirement: Real-time digital CCTV and AI monitoring
MMIA Status: Limited, analog surveillance with unlinked cameras
Compliance Gap: Major deficiency
3. ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 5.2 – Screening of Persons/Items
ICAO Requirement: Use of automated, AI-enhanced screening equipment
MMIA Status: Outdated X-ray scanners and manual screening
Compliance Gap: Below ICAO threshold
4. ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 3.1 – Airport Security Programme
ICAO Requirement: Coordinated national security system with intelligence and digital integration
MMIA Status: Fragmented, no unified digital control center
Compliance Gap: Incomplete
5. ICAO Annex 17, Chapter 1.2 – Risk-Based Approach
ICAO Requirement: Threat assessment using digital analytics and cybersecurity
MMIA Status: No cyber-integrated threat detection
Compliance Gap: Non-existent cyber security architecture
COMPARATIVE AIRPORT SECURITY STATISTICS
MMIA – Lagos, Nigeria
Passengers (2023): ~8.2 million
Surveillance: ~800 analog cameras, unlinked
Biometric Use: Partial (manual ID checks)
AI/Smart Tech: None
Heathrow Terminal 5 – UK
Passengers: 72.3 million
Surveillance: Over 6,000 smart HD cameras with facial recognition
Biometric Use: Full
AI/Smart Tech: Yes, centralized command
Amsterdam Schiphol – Netherlands
Passengers: 56 million
Surveillance: Fully AI-integrated surveillance system
Biometric Use: Full
AI/Smart Tech: Yes
Kigali International (New Terminal) – Rwanda
Passengers: ~2.1 million (8M projected)
Surveillance: Full coverage, real-time monitoring
Biometric Use: Full
AI/Smart Tech: Yes, ICAO-certified
Headlinenews.news Special Reporting Team.
