The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide following the earlier suspension of the fully cashless system due to traffic congestion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, the directive followed a meeting between the minister, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and senior ministry officials to review the challenges associated with the implementation of the cashless access gate payment system.
The statement noted that the earlier cashless arrangement was suspended on the directive of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after it caused significant traffic gridlock at airport entry points.
According to the statement, “Following the earlier suspension of the full cashless Access Gate payment system as directed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, due to the traffic gridlock it created, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development today met with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and senior officials of the Ministry.”
After reviewing the initial rollout and operational difficulties, the ministry resolved to modify the system while working towards a more efficient automated payment structure.
The statement said, “The Ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments.”
As an interim measure, motorists will be allowed to make payments using both cash and electronic channels. According to the statement, “In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.”
It added that users who already have the airport authority’s payment cards can continue to use them. The statement said, “Motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice.”
It further noted that electronic payment options would remain operational at airport gates. The statement added, “Other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available.”
The ministry also encouraged road users to adopt the electronic card system as efforts continue to improve the payment infrastructure.
According to the statement, “Members of the public and road users are encouraged to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the Authority continues to enhance and fully optimise the cashless payment system.”
The statement added that the latest directive temporarily restores the previous payment arrangement pending the introduction of a fully automated system.
According to the statement, “This directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement whilst the Ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system.”
The system, introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on March 1, 2026, required all payments at airport access gates, car parks, and other service points to be made electronically through prepaid cards and digital channels as part of efforts to curb corruption and improve revenue collection.
However, many motorists who did not possess the required “Go Cashless” cards attempted to register at the gates, leading to heavy traffic build-up and delays on airport access roads. The development prompted President Bola Tinubu to order the suspension of the policy pending a review of the system.
