President Tinubu suspends FAAN airport cashless toll system

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the recently introduced cashless toll gate system at Nigeria’s airports following widespread reports of chaos, traffic congestion, and stranded passengers.

The directive comes just days after the policy took effect on March 1, 2026, as part of a move to digitize revenue collection at federal aviation facilities.

The now-suspended policy strictly barred cash payments at airport gates, mandating that motorists utilize prepaid access cards or various electronic payment channels.

However, the implementation led to significant bottlenecks at airport entrances nationwide, causing many travelers to miss flights and creating severe gridlock that hampered essential airport operations.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the presidential intervention, stating that President Tinubu has instructed the ministry to return to the drawing board to refine the system before it is reintroduced.

The Minister emphasized that the President is seeking a solution that balances modern revenue collection with operational efficiency.

“In fact, the President directed me that this shouldn't take too long. It should not take too long, and I should get back to him on this issue,” Keyamo stated.

He further explained that the ministry would explore a more robust electronic framework, potentially involving private sector engagement, to ensure the technology can handle the high volume of traffic without the current delays.

In the interim, the Minister announced the immediate implementation of a hybrid payment system.

This temporary measure will allow motorists to pay with cash while also accommodating those who have already purchased the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) access cards.

This dual approach will remain in place until the ministry concludes its review and perfects the electronic infrastructure to ensure a seamless transition in the future.

The suspension has been met with immediate relief from motorists and airport users who had decried the lack of adequate preparation and public sensitization prior to the initial rollout.