Manny Ita –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate suspension of the cashless payment system recently introduced at the nation’s airports by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The directive was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Keyamo said the president instructed him to “go back to the drawing board, suspend the present system and perfect a system that will work perfectly without putting unnecessary pressure on citizens.”
The minister explained that the decision followed complaints and operational challenges observed since the rollout of the system at the Lagos and Abuja airports earlier in the week. The implementation reportedly resulted in long queues and delays for travellers seeking access to airport facilities.
According to Mr Keyamo, the president’s intervention was aimed at easing congestion and improving efficiency rather than rejecting the concept of cashless payments.
“The president’s decision is to remove gridlock and not because he is unhappy with the cashless system,” he said.
He further disclosed that a temporary hybrid arrangement would be introduced pending a comprehensive review of the framework. “There will be a hybrid system for now whereby those who already possess cards will be allowed to use it while those who prefer cash will be allowed to do so,” the minister stated.
Mr Keyamo added that the president had directed that a swift and workable solution be developed, “even if it means involving the private sector.”
“Private sector participants will come in to help us devise means to ensure cashless collection,” he said.
The minister noted that further briefings would be provided after consultations with FAAN and other relevant stakeholders to refine the payment structure and ensure smoother implementation.
The cashless policy was introduced as part of efforts to modernise revenue collection and reduce leakages within airport operations, but its abrupt rollout triggered concerns among passengers who encountered difficulties completing transactions.
Officials say the revised framework will aim to balance efficiency, convenience, and financial transparency while avoiding disruption to airport users.
