President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s newly introduced cashless payment policy following widespread traffic congestion at major airports across the country.
The directive was announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the president in Abuja on Wednesday.
Policy Rollout Triggers Nationwide Gridlock
The cashless system, launched on March 1, required passengers and motorists to make digital payments through “Go Cashless” cards or POS systems at airport entry gates, parking areas, and lounges. The initiative was designed to replace over five decades of cash-based revenue collection and curb leakages.
However, within days of implementation, severe gridlock was reported at key facilities, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Long queues of vehicles, stranded passengers, and missed flights quickly sparked public backlash.
Presidential Intervention
Keyamo said the president intervened after expressing concern over the health, safety, and welfare of affected passengers.
“Mr. President was very concerned about the fact that Nigerians were losing their flights and suffering due to the gridlock,” the minister said, noting that Tinubu directed FAAN to “go back to the drawing board” and develop a more efficient and people-friendly system.
According to the minister, the suspension does not signal a return to unchecked cash handling but rather a temporary measure to ease congestion while a more seamless solution is developed.
Hybrid Revenue Collection System
Following the presidential directive, FAAN will revert temporarily to the previous cash collection model while allowing continued use of already issued FAAN cards under a hybrid arrangement.
Keyamo disclosed that the government may engage private-sector operators to manage electronic gate systems more efficiently. He said such partnerships could involve commission-based arrangements to ensure improved service delivery without revenue leakages.
“The president’s position is clear — we must eliminate corruption and optimise revenue, but not at the expense of convenience and public safety,” he added.
Balancing Reform With Public Convenience
The cashless reform was originally introduced to improve transparency and boost federal government revenue. However, its abrupt rollout exposed operational gaps, particularly in infrastructure readiness and user adaptation.
Analysts say the episode highlights the challenge of implementing digital reforms in high-traffic public infrastructure without adequate transition planning and stress testing.
For now, the suspension aims to immediately decongest airport access roads, particularly in Lagos, where traffic bottlenecks had intensified.
The aviation ministry is expected to submit a revised framework to the president after consultations with stakeholders and private-sector partners.
