President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the newly introduced cashless toll gate system at Nigerian airports following widespread complaints of traffic congestion and missed flights.
The policy, implemented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was designed to eliminate corruption and improve revenue collection by replacing decades-old cash payments with electronic transactions. However, within days of its rollout, the system reportedly caused long queues at airport entry points, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President.
According to Keyamo, President Tinubu expressed concern over the hardship the policy was causing travellers, many of whom missed their flights due to severe gridlock around airport toll gates.
He explained that although the cashless system was introduced to curb corruption and optimise government revenue, its implementation led to unintended congestion at access roads and payment points.
Out of what he described as empathy for Nigerians, the President directed that the system be suspended immediately while authorities work on improving the process.
Keyamo said the government would temporarily revert to the previous payment arrangement and introduce a hybrid system, allowing both cash payments and the continued use of prepaid FAAN cards already purchased by motorists.
He further revealed that the Federal Government is considering engaging private sector partners to develop a more efficient electronic payment platform that will eliminate cash transactions without disrupting traffic flow. The President, he added, remains committed to a fully electronic revenue collection system, provided it does not create further inconvenience for airport users.
The minister stressed that the suspension is a temporary measure aimed at restoring efficiency and easing the suffering experienced by travellers, particularly at the Lagos and Abuja airport toll gates.
He assured that consultations with FAAN and other stakeholders would continue, with additional briefings expected as efforts intensify to deliver a seamless and congestion-free payment system at Nigerian airports.
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