Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the immediate introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates across Nigeria following the suspension of the full cashless payment arrangement.
The decision comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier ordered the suspension of the cashless access gate system due to the severe traffic congestion it caused at major airports.
According to a statement issued after a meeting between the minister, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and senior ministry officials, the new arrangement will allow both cash and electronic payments while authorities work towards deploying a fully automated system.
The statement noted that after reviewing the earlier rollout and operational setbacks, the ministry resolved to engage concessionaires to improve the payment system at airport entry points nationwide.
“The Ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the Minister’s spokesman, Tunde Moshood.
However, the ministry announced that an interim arrangement will take effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.
“In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday, March 13, 2026,” the statement added.
Motorists who already possess the FAAN Go Cashless Cards were advised to continue using them until further notice.
“Motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice.”
Authorities also confirmed that additional electronic payment options will remain operational at airport entry points.
“Other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available.”
The ministry encouraged travellers and road users to obtain the FAAN Go Cashless Card as part of efforts to gradually optimise and strengthen the cashless payment framework.
Officials said the directive effectively restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the government continues to work towards implementing a fully automated electronic system at airports nationwide.