The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide, allowing both cash and electronic payments following operational challenges that emerged from the earlier rollout of a fully cashless system.
The decision was reached after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, held a review meeting with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and senior ministry officials to assess the implementation of the electronic payment system.
The move follows a directive by Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspending the full cashless access gate payment system after it triggered severe traffic congestion around airport entry points.
In a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the ministry said the government remains committed to introducing a fully automated electronic payment system at airport access gates in the long term.
However, as an interim measure, a hybrid payment arrangement accommodating both cash and card payments will take effect across all airport access gates from March 13, 2026, to ease traffic flow and improve operational efficiency.
Motorists who already possess the FAAN Go Cashless Card will continue to use the card until further notice, while other electronic payment channels, including point-of-sale terminals and approved digital platforms, will remain operational.
According to the statement, road users are encouraged to obtain and utilise the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the authority continues to refine and optimise the electronic payment framework.
The directive effectively restores the previous access gate payment arrangement while the ministry works with concessionaires to develop and deploy a fully automated system designed to eliminate manual transactions and improve access management at the country’s airports.
