Pres. Tinubu Halts FAAN Cashless Policy Over Airport Traffic Chaos

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has ordered the immediate suspension of the cashless payment policy recently introduced at airport toll gates by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The directive followed widespread complaints about severe traffic congestion at major airports, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja. He explained that the President intervened after the system’s rollout resulted in long queues that caused passengers to miss flights.

The cashless policy, launched on March 1, required motorists entering airport premises to pay toll and access fees using prepaid cards or electronic payment platforms. The initiative was designed to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and enhance revenue collection at airport facilities.

However, the sudden transition created operational difficulties as many airport users were unable to access the required cards or complete transactions quickly. The situation triggered traffic gridlock stretching several kilometres near airport gates, disrupting normal operations and drawing public criticism.

Following the suspension, the government has directed FAAN and the aviation ministry to develop a more efficient electronic payment system. In the interim, a hybrid payment system allowing both cash and electronic transactions will be implemented while authorities work toward a smoother transition.