Construction of a Microcontroller-Based Automatic Door Access Control System for Tertiary Institutions in Plateau State

Security management in Nigerian tertiary institutions has become increasingly critical given the rising concerns around unauthorized access to laboratories, examination halls, and administrative offices. This project presents the construction of a microcontroller-based automatic door access control system designed for deployment in tertiary institution buildings in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. The system uses RFID card readers as the primary identification mechanism, paired with a four-by-four keypad for a secondary authentication layer, providing a two-factor access control architecture. An Arduino Mega microcontroller coordinates authentication logic, controls an electronic solenoid door lock, and logs access events to a connected SD card module for audit purposes. A 16x2 LCD display provides user feedback during authentication attempts. The system was installed and tested at a computer laboratory in the University of Jos over a three-month period involving 87 registered users. During testing, the system achieved a false acceptance rate of 0.8 percent and a false rejection rate of 1.2 percent, both within acceptable security thresholds. Power redundancy was incorporated through a 12-volt UPS battery backup to maintain operation during electricity interruptions. The study evaluates the system against manual padlock and basic lock alternatives in terms of security, operational efficiency, and cost of ownership. Findings suggest the system is deployable at a cost approximately 40 percent lower than comparable commercial access control products. Keywords: RFID access control, automatic door, microcontroller, campus security, Plateau State