The Festus Keyamo has directed the introduction of a hybrid payment system at airport access gates nationwide following the suspension of the fully cashless system due to traffic congestion.
The directive, announced on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, came after a review meeting with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and senior ministry staff to assess operational challenges associated with the cashless access gate system.
The earlier fully cashless arrangement, introduced on March 1, 2026, was suspended by the directive of Bola Ahmed Tinubu after it caused severe traffic gridlocks at airport entry points. Many motorists who did not possess the required FAAN Go Cashless cards faced delays while attempting to register at the gates.
Following the review, the ministry resolved to implement a hybrid system, allowing motorists to make payments using both cash and electronic channels. “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 said.
The directive maintains electronic payment options, including FAAN Go Cashless Cards, POS terminals, and other approved digital channels. Motorists who already have the cards are encouraged to continue using them, while the ministry urged the public to adopt the electronic system as work continues on fully automating the process.
“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,” the statement noted.
The hybrid system temporarily restores the previous payment arrangement while the ministry develops a more efficient automated solution to improve revenue collection, reduce congestion, and curb corruption at airports across the country.
