Elegbede Abiodun
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has approved the introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates across the country following the earlier suspension of the full cashless payment policy that caused traffic congestion at some airports.
Under the directive, airports will commence operating the hybrid payment system from Friday, March 13, 2026, allowing motorists to make payments using both cash and electronic channels at access gates nationwide.
The decision followed a meeting between the minister, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and senior ministry officials to review the initial rollout of the cashless gate payment system and address operational challenges encountered during its implementation.
The full cashless policy had earlier been suspended on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after it triggered traffic gridlock at several airport entrances.
According to the review, the minister resolved to engage concessionaires to develop a fully automated electronic payment system for airport access gates in the long term, with the aim of eventually eliminating cash payments.
Keyamo also said motorists who already possess the FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue using them until further notice. Other electronic payment options, including Point of Sale (POS) terminals and approved digital channels, will also remain operational.
He urged members of the public and road users to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the authority continues efforts to improve and optimise the cashless payment system.
In accordance to the minister, the directive effectively restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the government works towards deploying a fully automated electronic payment system across Nigeria’s airports.
