FG Restores Hybrid Payment System at Airports Following Cashless Policy Suspension
Cash and Electronic Payments Return to Airport Access Gates Nationwide
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the resumption of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide, allowing motorists to pay using both cash and electronic channels.
The directive follows the suspension of the fully cashless payment policy earlier introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) after it caused severe traffic congestion at several airport entrances.
The hybrid system will take effect from March 13, 2026, restoring the option for cash payments while maintaining digital payment channels at airport gates.
Review of the Cashless Rollout
The decision was reached after a meeting between the aviation minister, FAAN officials, and senior ministry staff to review operational challenges associated with the initial rollout of the fully electronic system.
FAAN had introduced a nationwide cashless payment policy on March 1, 2026, requiring motorists to pay electronically for access gates, parking, and other airport services.
The initiative was intended to improve revenue transparency, reduce cash handling, and modernise payment processes at Nigerian airports.
However, the rollout faced immediate challenges as many drivers attempted to register for the required “Go Cashless” payment cards at airport gates, causing long queues and significant gridlock at major terminals.
Presidential Intervention
Following widespread complaints from travellers and airport users, President Bola Tinubu ordered the suspension of the cashless policy on March 4, 2026 to address the operational disruptions.
Reports from major airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, indicated that traffic congestion around access roads delayed passengers and caused some travellers to miss flights.
The hybrid system is therefore intended as an interim solution while authorities refine the digital payment framework.
Payment Options Under the Hybrid System
Under the revised arrangement, airport users will be able to pay access gate charges using several methods:
Cash payments
FAAN Go Cashless prepaid cards
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals
Other approved digital payment platforms
Motorists who already possess FAAN’s Go Cashless cards have been advised to continue using them until further notice.
Authorities also encouraged airport users to adopt the card system as the government continues to improve electronic payment infrastructure.
Long-Term Plan for Fully Automated Payments
Despite the temporary return of cash payments, the aviation ministry says the long-term goal remains the development of a fully automated electronic payment system at airport access gates nationwide.
Officials indicated that the ministry plans to engage concessionaires to deploy improved digital infrastructure that will support seamless automated transactions while eliminating operational bottlenecks.
The government argues that digital payments remain essential for improving operational efficiency and reducing revenue leakages within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Outlook
The reintroduction of hybrid payments reflects the government’s attempt to balance digital transformation with operational practicality at Nigeria’s airports.
While the aviation sector continues to pursue cashless systems to improve efficiency and transparency, policymakers will need to address infrastructure readiness, user adoption, and operational capacity to ensure a smoother transition to fully electronic payment platforms in the future.
