Cash and electronic options to coexist as authorities fine-tune fully cashless airport entry system….
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will introduce a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide beginning March 13, 2026, allowing motorists to pay using both cash and electronic methods.
The decision follows the temporary suspension of the fully cashless system, which had caused traffic congestion at several airports and drew a directive from President Bola Tinubu to review its implementation.
Ministry response and hybrid approach
Following the President’s directive, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, instructed FAAN to halt the cashless-only system and revert to a hybrid model while continuing preparations for a fully electronic system.
Keyamo met with senior ministry officials and FAAN executives to assess the initial rollout and address operational challenges. According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, the ministry is engaging concessionaires to eventually eliminate cash payments completely.
How the hybrid system works
- FAAN Go Cashless Card holders can continue using their cards at access gates.
- Other electronic payment methods, including POS terminals and approved digital channels, will also remain available.
- Cash payments will be accepted alongside card and electronic options, restoring the previous access arrangement.
The ministry encouraged the public to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as part of ongoing efforts to modernize airport revenue collection.
“This directive restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system,” the FAAN statement added.
Background
On March 4, 2026, Keyamo had announced that his team would review the first seven days of the cashless payment system to eliminate inefficiencies, optimize revenue, and address operational glitches.
The hybrid model represents a pragmatic step in transitioning Nigeria’s airports toward a fully automated, cashless environment while ensuring minimal disruption to road users.
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