Tinubu Suspends Cashless Policy at Nigeria's Airport
Last update: March 5, 2026
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Nigeria's President, Tinubu orders suspension of FAAN’s “Operation Go Cashless”...
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the controversial cashless payment policy introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), following widespread public backlash and severe traffic congestion at major airports.
CBI News reports that the directive came barely four days after the policy took effect on March 1, 2026.
The initiative, tagged “Operation Go Cashless,” barred cash payments at FAAN-controlled points, including toll gates, car parks and executive lounges.
The rollout triggered massive gridlock along access roads to airports in Lagos, Abuja and other key hubs, leaving passengers stranded and forcing several to miss scheduled flights as motorists struggled with digital payment processes.
Although the Presidency did not immediately release a detailed statement, it was confirmed that the President intervened in response to the operational chaos and public dissatisfaction that trailed the abrupt transition to a fully digital system.
Ironically, just hours before the suspension, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had defended the initiative in a post on 𝕏, formerly Twitter.
“By the end of this week, I, along with my team, will be reviewing the first one week of our going cashless at all our payment points at airports across the country in order to eliminate corruption and optimise revenue,” he wrote.
“We will surely improve the efficiency of the new system as time progresses by developing new ideas, but this government is determined to end the practice of collecting cash at our gates. Kindly bear with us, please.”
His remarks were quickly overtaken by events as the President’s directive effectively placed the programme on hold.
Earlier, FAAN had announced four digital payment channels for airport access nationwide.
In a statement titled “Payment Channels At FAAN Access Gate,” the authority listed the options as the FAAN Go Cashless Card, E-Tag, VIP Sticker for authorised vehicles, and ATM/Debit Card payments via POS terminals.
According to FAAN, the Go Cashless Card could be obtained at its commercial offices and access gates or through an online registration portal.
The initiative, launched in partnership with fintech firm Paystack, was first announced in September 2025 and piloted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja before nationwide expansion.
FAAN had projected that the system would make transactions “faster, safer, and more convenient,” with expectations of boosting revenue by up to 75 per cent through improved transparency and reduced cash handling.
However, the first days of implementation were marked by confusion and frustration.
POS terminals reportedly slowed due to banking network glitches, leading to prolonged transaction times and long queues that stretched far beyond airport gates.
Travellers, especially those catching domestic and international flights, lamented missed departures and financial losses as access roads became heavily congested, prompting the President’s swift intervention.
