FAAN cashless policy suspended after airport chaos

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended its newly introduced cashless payment system following days of disruption that saw long queues, traffic gridlock, and passengers missing flights at airports across the country.

The policy, which took effect on March 1, 2026, required travellers at airports in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities to use digital payment methods such as the Go Cashless Card, E-Tags, VIP Stickers, or bank cards. But poor preparation and inadequate public sensitisation led to confusion, with many passengers unable to access the required payment channels.

FAAN issued more than 40,000 of the cards within three days in a hurried attempt to manage the situation, but the delays persisted.

President Bola Tinubu ordered the suspension of the policy during a Federal Executive Council meeting, saying the scale of passengers missing their flights was inconsistent with the policy’s objectives.

FAAN had described the initiative as part of efforts to reduce cash handling, improve revenue transparency, curb corruption, and modernise airport operations.

The swift reversal drew comparisons to past instances of poor policy implementation in Nigeria, including a 2014 immigration recruitment exercise that resulted in a stampede and multiple deaths, and the 2022 naira redesign policy that caused a prolonged cash crunch.

Aviation authorities are expected to revisit the cashless framework. Industry observers have called for a phased rollout, clearer communication, and proper stakeholder engagement before any reimplementation.