By Chidi Ugwu
The Federal Government has directed the reintroduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates across the country following operational challenges linked to the earlier implementation of a fully cashless payment system.
This directive was issued on Tuesday after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development met with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior ministry officials in Abuja to review the situation.
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The move follows the earlier suspension of the full cashless access gate payment system by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after it reportedly caused severe traffic congestion at some airports.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the meeting reviewed the initial rollout of the system and identified several operational difficulties that affected smooth entry into airport facilities.
To address the immediate concerns, the ministry approved the reintroduction of a hybrid payment arrangement that will allow both cash and electronic transactions at airport access gates.
Under the directive, the new system will take effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.
The ministry explained that the interim measure is intended to ease the movement of vehicles and reduce delays experienced by motorists while longer-term improvements are being developed.
It further disclosed that the government is engaging concessionaires to deploy a fully automated electronic payment system at all airport access gates nationwide, with the long-term objective of completely eliminating cash payments.
The statement also clarified that motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue to use them until further notice.
In addition, other electronic payment options, including Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals and other approved digital channels, will remain operational at the gates.
Authorities also encouraged members of the public and road users to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as part of efforts to improve and optimise the cashless payment system in the future.
The ministry noted that the directive effectively restores the previous access gate payment arrangement temporarily while work continues on the development of a more efficient automated payment platform at airports across the country.
Officials say the planned upgrade is expected to enhance traffic flow, reduce delays, and modernise payment processes within Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
