President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the suspension of the recently introduced cashless payment system at Nigerian airports following widespread complaints of traffic congestion and hardship for travellers.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
According to the minister, the cashless payment system was initially introduced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to curb corruption and improve revenue collection by replacing the long-standing practice of cash payments at airport toll gates and parking points.
However, less than a week after the policy was implemented, it reportedly caused severe congestion at airport access roads, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.
Keyamo said the President became concerned after reports that many travellers were missing their flights due to the delays caused by the new system.
He explained that Tinubu ordered the immediate suspension of the policy to ease the difficulties faced by airport users while authorities work on improving the electronic payment system.
The minister noted that the government would temporarily revert to the previous payment arrangement while introducing a hybrid system that allows both cash payments and the use of prepaid FAAN cards already obtained by some motorists.
He added that the Federal Government would engage private sector partners to develop a more efficient electronic payment platform capable of eliminating cash transactions without causing traffic gridlock.
Keyamo stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a permanent return to cash payments but rather a temporary measure aimed at addressing operational challenges and reducing the hardship experienced by travellers.
He also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the re-scoping and continuation of the long-delayed second runway project at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
According to him, the project will include the construction of the runway, taxiways and connecting links, perimeter fencing with security gates, internal roads within the airport premises, and crash roads for emergency services.
The approval also covers the installation of critical technical infrastructure such as airfield lighting systems, navigational aids, communication equipment, meteorological facilities, and dedicated power infrastructure to support the runway’s operations.
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