New Hybrid Payment System Ordered for Airports Following Chaotic Launch

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) has ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to reinstate cash payments at all airport toll gates.

This shift to a hybrid payment system follows a direct intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after a week of operational turmoil.

The crisis began on March 1, 2026, with the launch of “Operation Go Cashless.”

While the FEC-approved policy aimed to modernize 50 years of cash-based operations and eliminate revenue leakage, the sudden transition lacked a necessary grace period.

The resulting friction paralyzed Lagos and Abuja airports, creating massive gridlock that forced desperate travelers to abandon their vehicles and trek to terminals with their luggage to avoid missing flights.

Social media was flooded with complaints from frustrated passengers, with many criticising the lack of planning and inadequate infrastructure for seamless electronic payments.

Aviation experts and stakeholders also condemned the rollout, arguing that the focus on revenue collection overlooked critical factors such as traffic management and user convenience.

The widespread disruption prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly.

Following the Federal Executive Council meeting on March 4, 2026, Keyamo, announced the President’s suspension of the cashless policy.

According to him, the President is deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that many were missing their flights due to the gridlock.

Persecondnews reported that the President had directed an immediate return to the status quo, asking the Ministry and FAAN to “go back to the drawing board” and perfect the system.

He emphasised that the goal remained to eliminate cash payments and optimise revenue, but not at the expense of subjecting citizens to undue hardship.

The President also hinted at involving private sector participants to develop a more efficient, fully automated electronic system that would prevent future gridlock.

Few days after the suspension, FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, addressed the press, clarifying that the policy was not cancelled but its implementation needed improvement.

She revealed that between October 2025 and early March 2026, thousands of users had registered for the cashless system, with a 99 per cent success rate for card transactions.

She, however, admitted that the location of toll gates—particularly in Lagos, where roads are shared by airport users and general commuters—exacerbated the traffic situation.

Kuku welcomed the President’s directive as a “major win” that would allow the agency to refine the process, enhance public awareness, and eventually introduce a fully automated system .

Tuesday’s press release from the Ministry formalized the transition back to a workable system.

The new directive, effective from Friday, March 13, 2026, establishes a hybrid model, resolving the uncertainty that followed the initial suspension.

According to the statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, the following measures are now in effect:

* Immediate Implementation of Hybrid System: A hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates from Friday, March 13, 2026.

*Continuity for Existing Cardholders: Motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice.

*Maintenance of Digital Channels: Other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available to provide multiple avenues for payment.

*Public Sensitisation: 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 Ministry reiterated that while this directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement to ease current congestion, work is ongoing to develop a fully automated or electronic system in partnership with concessionaires.

This long-term solution aims to eventually eliminate cash payments entirely, fulfilling the original goal of optimising revenue and modernising Nigeria’s airports, but in a manner that ensures a seamless and stress-free experience for all users.